French President François Hollande has described a shooting that left 12 dead and several more wounded in Paris as a barbaric terrorist attack on Wednesday, saying the country faced a shock.
"This is a terrorist operation, by terrorists, against a newspaper that has been threatened several times - and that's why we have to give it the protection it needs," he said. The publication, Charlie Hebdo, was previously firebombed in 2011 after publishing cartoons and joking about Muslim leaders.
Visiting the scene, Hollande said France had to remain firm and strong, adding that they would fight the threats and punish the attacker.
U.S. President Barack Obama strongly condemned the attack in a statement saying that America's thoughts and prayers are with the victims.
"We are in touch with French officials and I have directed my Administration to provide any assistance needed to help bring these terrorists to justice," Obama said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this terrorist attack and the people of France" —President Obama pic.twitter.com/ZzVOyGNzfK— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 7, 2015
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called the attack a "direct assault on democracy, media and freedom of expression."
"This horrific attack is meant to divide. We must not fall into that trap. This is a moment for solidarity … We must stand against the forces of division and hate," he said.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed solidarity with #CharlieHebdo magazine #JeSuisCharlie pic.twitter.com/C2ClOPZU52— Brendan Pastor (@brendanspastor) January 7, 2015
Speaking in Britain where he was holding meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron also condemned the attack.
The murders in Paris are sickening. We stand with the French people in the fight against terror and defending the freedom of the press.— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 7, 2015
Merkel added the shooting was an attack on freedom of speech and the press, which she described as core elements of free democratic culture.
"This abominable act is not only an attack on the lives of French citizens and their security," she said in a statement.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth also sent her condolences to those affected.
The Queen has sent this message to @fhollande and the people of France following the attack in #Paris today pic.twitter.com/ohqvDEQhTj— BritishMonarchy (@BritishMonarchy) January 7, 2015
In Russia, President Vladamir Putin spokesman told the TASS news agency that he sent his condolences to the victims.
"Moscow resolutely condemns terrorism in all its forms," Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"President Putin due to the tragic event in Paris... expresses his deep condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the dead and also to the people of Paris and all the French."
Across the globe in New York, the Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the attack, describing it as a brazen attack on free expression in the heart of Europe.
The scale of the violence is appalling. Journalists must now stand together to send the message that such murderous attempts to silence us will not stand," CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney said in a statement.
Human Rights Watch said nothing could justify such an attack and that those who organised and committed it should be brought to justice.
"France should protect freedom of expression and guard against any backlash against particular groups," it said.
UPDATE, Jan. 7, 12:08 P.M. ET to include further statements.
Additional reporting from The Associated Press.