SINGAPORE - Singapore strongly condemns the deadly attack on French magazine Charlie Hebdo which killed 12 people, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

PM Lee wrote on Facebook that he was shocked to learn of the "brutal attack", and had written to French Prime Minister Manuel Valls to convey his condolences.

He added that Singapore "strongly condemns this savage act of terror".

"It is yet another reminder of the threat posed by terrorism to all civilised societies, and that it is totally wrong to invoke religion to justify such savagery," he wrote.

President Tony Tan extended his condolences to France's President Francois Hollande in a letter on Thursday.

"As France mourns the victims, may the perpetrators be brought to justice swiftly, and may the wounded have a speedy recovery," Dr Tan wrote.

Condolence Letter from President Tony Tan Keng Yam

President of the French Republic François Hollande

8 January 2015

His Excellency François Hollande
President
French Republic

Your Excellency,

I am saddened to hear news of the act of terror committed at the offices of weekly magazine, Charlie Hebdo, in Paris. On behalf of the people of Singapore, I extend our condolences and sympathies to those who have been injured and the families who have lost loved ones in the attack.

As France mourns the victims, may the perpetrators be brought to justice swiftly, and may the wounded have a speedy recovery.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families. We wish them strength and fortitude during this difficult time.

Yours sincerely,

TONY TAN KENG YAM