Obama on Paris terrorist attacks: ‘This is a heartbreaking situation’
President Barack Obama condemned the terrorist attacks in Paris that have left several dozen people dead and an unconfirmed number of people taken hostage.
“It’s not just an attack on Paris, not just the people of France, but it’s an attack on all of humanity and all of the values that we share,’’ Obama said from the White House on Friday evening.
Obama said the United States is prepared to provide whatever assistance the French government, and people, may need.
“Whenever these kinds of attacks happen, we’ve always been able to count on the French people to stand with us,’’ he said. “They have been an extraordinary counterterrorism partner. And we intend to be there with them in that same fashion.’’
Dozens of people were killed Friday in separate attacks around Paris, many of them in a popular concert hall where patrons were taken hostage, police and medical officials told the Associated Press. The series of attacks gripped the city in fear and recalled the horrors of the Charlie Hebdo carnage just 10 months ago.
“I’ve chosen not to call President Hollande at this time. My expectation is that he’s very busy at the moment,’’ Obama said. “But I am confident that I’ll be in direct communication with him in the next few days.’’
Watch his full statement:
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Photos from the terrorist attacks in Paris:
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