WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States and its allies condemned Wednesday's deadly shooting attack on a French newspaper in the "strongest possible terms."
US President Barack Obama has condemned the deadly shooting, calling it a terrorist attack against its ally, France. "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," he said in a statement
Speaking on MSNBC, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said: "Everybody here at the White House are with the families of those who were killed or injured in this attack."
"Senior officials at the White House have been in close touch with their counterparts in France this morning," he added. "The United States stand ready to work closely with the French" to help them probe the attack.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker also condemned the attack, calling it an an act of "barbarism".
"I am profoundly shocked by the brutal and inhuman attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo. This is an intolerable act, an act of barbarism which challenges us all as human and Europeans," Juncker said in a statement issued by the 28-nation EU.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the shooting is not only attack on French citizens, but on freedoms of press and speech.
"I was shocked to learn of the despicable attack on the newspaper in Paris," the German leader wrote. "I would like to express to you and your compatriots in this hour of suffering the sympathy of the German people as well my own sorrow, and convey my condolences to the victims' loved ones."
Her comment came after British Prime Minister David Cameron said Britain stood with its ally against "all forms of terrorism".
Cameron made the comments about the attack in Paris at the start of his weekly question and answer session in parliament's lower House of Commons.
"I'm sure the whole House will want join me in condemning the barbaric attack this morning on an office of a magazine in Paris," he said.
"While details are still unclear, I know that this house and this country stands united with the French people in our opposition to all forms of terrorism and we stand squarely for free speech and democracy.
Earlier, Cameron said in a Twitter message that the killings were "sickening", while Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was "appalled" to hear about the "apparent terrorist attack".
