SINGAPORE - The "barbaric" terrorist attacks in Paris last week were the acts of "sick and mad people" and had nothing to do with issues of religion, race or nationality, Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam said on Monday.

"Nothing can justify the killings," he told reporters. "It's been done in the name of religion (but) no religion will have any truck with these actions."

Speaking at the French embassy in Singapore after signing a condolence book for the victims of the terrorist killings, Mr Shanmugam said the Republic stands in solidarity with France as it mourns the Paris attacks.

"We have no doubt the resilience of the French people will come through once again," he added. "And this challenge will be faced with determination, like France has faced so many other challenges."

France's ambassador to Singapore Benjamin Dubertret thanked Mr Shanmugam for his gesture of support and "solidarity in the fight against terrorism".

"It's an exceptional gesture and we value it as such," he said.

Seventeen lives were lost last week in three terror incidents in the French capital, including 12 casualties during an assault on Paris-based magazine Charlie Hebdo.

On Sunday, nearly four million people marched in France to demonstrate unity in response to the attacks. Mr Shanmugam said he had instructed Singapore's ambassador in Paris, Mr Tan York Chor, to join the unity march there.