President Barack Obama addressed the terrorist attack in Paris on Friday, saying the United States stood ready to support France in anyway needed.
“This is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values we share,” Obama said, calling the attacks an “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians.”
Describing France as America’s “oldest ally” and “an extraordinary counterterrorism partner,” Obama promised to offer France whatever assistance the nation needed in its investigation. He said that he had not called French President François Hollande because he did not want to distract him at a busy time, although he had coincidentally been in touch with him earlier in the day and had spoken to French officials since the attack started. “There may be live activities and dangers that are taking part as we speak,” he said.
As of the time Obama spoke at around 5:45 p.m. ET, it was being reported that there was a live hostage situation at a Paris concert hall and at least 35 people had been reported killed in attacks around the city.
“France is our oldest ally. The French people have stood shoulder to shoulder with us again and again,” Obama said. “Paris itself represents the timeless values of human progress. Those that think they can terrorize the people of France or the values they stand for are wrong.”
Obama added that the French national motto of “Liberté, égalité, fraternité” were “values that we share and those values are going to endure beyond any acts of terrorism.”
