WASHINGTON -- The violent attacks in Paris are an "outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians," President Barack Obama said Friday.
Speaking from the White House briefing room, Obama said that the attacks were "an attack not just on the people of France, but...an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share."
Obama provided little detail about the wave of attacks that left at least 35 people dead and dozens injured, but said that the United States stood "prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance that the government and the people of France need to respond."
Obama described the attacks as a "heartbreaking situation" and said that "obviously those of us here in the United States know what it's like."
"The bonds of liberté, egalité and fraternité are not only values that the French people care about, they are values we share," Obama said.
Earlier in the day, Obama was briefed by adviser Lisa Monaco. He said he had not yet spoken to President François Hollande.
"My expectation is that he's very busy at the moment," Obama said of Hollande.
Obama is set to travel to Turkey to meet with the leaders of Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and France. A White House schedule released after his remarks indicated that he still planned to attend the G-20 summit.