Obama calls Hollande, offers condolences on Paris attack

US President Barack Obama has telephoned his French counterpart Francois Hollande to express condolences over the deadly attack targeting a satirical magazine in Paris that left 12 dead, offering assistance in bringing the attackers to justice.
"President Obama called French President Hollande from Air Force One this afternoon to personally offer his condolences and to express solidarity after this morning's horrific terrorist attack in Paris," the White House said yesterday.
Obama offered the resources of the United States as France works to identify, apprehend, and bring to justice the perpetrators and anyone who helped plan or enable this terrorist attack.

"President Hollande thanked the President for his words of support and provided an update on steps being taken to care for the victims and to arrest those responsible. He affirmed that France will never waver when faced with such adversity and will continue to defend the values of freedom and tolerance that the French republic and its people so nobly embody," it said.
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, in a statement, offered his condolences to the families and friends of those lost in the terrorist attack in Paris.
"We condemn this barbaric and cowardly act. The United States and France have stood together, time and again, for the universal values we share and in opposition to the terror we deplore. We do so again today," he said.

Hagel said the Department of Defense, including through our European Command, will continue to monitor the situation in Paris closely, and we stand ready to assist France in the aftermath of the attack.

Twelve people were killed yesterday after three hooded individuals armed with Kalashnikovs and a rocket-launcher opened fire in the offices of French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.
In a statement, the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) condemned the attack.
"We condemn this barbaric attack which was seemingly done to undermine freedom of speech. Speech, even when it is offensive to our religious traditions and sensibilities, can never be a justification to kill," said ISNA President Azhar Azeez.