President Barack Obama was fast to offer America’s support to the French authorities after what he described as an “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians”.
Speaking at the White House, Mr Obama his administration had offered its full support to France, though he had not yet spoken personally with President Francois Hollande.
“We stand prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance that the government and the people of France need,” he said, and pledged to “bring these terrorists to justice and go after any terrorist networks”.
He added: “Those who think that they can terrorise the people of France or the values that they stand for are wrong.”
He was briefed on the attacks Friday by his counter-terrorism adviser Lisa Monaco.
“This is an attack not just on Paris. It’s an attack not just on the people of France,” he said. “But this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values we share.”
