Barack Obama condemns Paris attacks, says attack on ‘all of humanity’

US President Barack Obama has condemned the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris saying that the attack is not just on France but on all of humanity and the universal values and also pledged to work with France to bring those responsible to justice.

“Once again we’ve seen an outrageous attempt to terrorise innocent civilians. This is an attack not just on Paris; it’s an attack not just on the people of France. But this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share,” Obama told reporters.

The US stands prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance that the government and people of France need to respond, Obama said.

“The situation is still unfolding. I’ve chosen not to call President Hollande at this time, because my expectation is that he is very busy at the moment,” he said.

Obama was briefed on the attacks, which have killed at least 39 people, by his counterterrorism advisor Lisa Monaco.

Coincidentally Obama had called Hollande earlier in the day and the two leaders had talked about the upcoming Climate change summit in Paris, which would be attended by the world leaders including US President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This is a heartbreaking situation. And obviously those of us here in the US know what it’s like. We’ve gone through these kinds of episodes ourselves. And whenever these kinds of attacks happened, we’ve always been able to count on the French people to stand with us,” Obama said.

“We don’t yet know all the details of what has happened. We’ve been in contact with French officials to communicate our deepest condolences to the families of those who’ve been killed, to offer our prayers and thoughts to those who’ve been wounded. We have offered our full support to them,” he said.

“The US stands prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance that the government and people of France need to respond,” he added.

“France is our oldest ally. The French people have stood shoulder to shoulder with the US time and again. And we want to be very clear that we stand together with them in the fight against terrorism and extremism,” Obama said.

“Paris itself represents the timeless values of human progress. Those who think that they can terrorise the people of France or the values that they stand for are wrong. The American people draw strength from the French people’s commitment to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness,” he added.

“We are reminded in this time of tragedy that the bonds of liberte and egalite, and eternite, not just the values that the French people care so deeply about, but they are values that we share. And those values are going to endure far beyond any act of terrorism or the hateful vision of those who perpetrated the crimes this evening,” Obama said.

“We’re going to do whatever it takes to work with the French people and with nations around the world to bring these terrorists to justice and to go after any terrorist networks that go after our people,” he added. Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed concern over ongoing reports of hostages and said the US stands to provide all kinds of assistance to Paris.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this assault on innocent people, going about their lives. And I am deeply concerned by ongoing reports of hostages,” Kerry said in a statement.

“These are heinous, evil, vile acts. Those of us who can must do everything in our power to fight back against what can only be considered an assault on our common humanity,” he said.

“The US embassy in Paris is making every effort to account for the welfare of American citiIn the days ahead we stand ready to provide whatever support the French government may require,” Kerry said.

“France is our oldest ally, a friend and a vital partner. We stand with the French people tonight, as our peoples have always stood together in our darkest hours. These terrorist attacks will only deepen our shared resolve,” he added.

“It’s heartbreaking. Outrageous. The American people understand and share the pain the people of Paris are going through,” the US Vice President Joe Biden said.

“As these tragic events unfold, the investigation continues, and we learn all of the details of what’s happened, the United States stands ready to support the French government and the people of Paris,” he said.

Senator Bob Corker, chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the horrific attacks in Paris are a tragic reminder that terrorism knows no borders or boundaries.

The US Attorney General Loretta E Lynch said America stands in solidarity with France, as it has stood with it so often in the past.

The US should assist the French government in finding those who are accountable and bringing them to justice, Marco Rubio, a leading Republican presidential candidate said.

The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes said the horrific massacres in Paris confirm an array of warnings from our Intelligence Community that the West is at an extremely high terror threat level.

“We do not yet know what specific group is responsible, but their strategy of attacking soft targets, spreading terror and uncertainty, and using the fear they create to further radicalise and recruit- is one we will have to get much better at confronting,” said Mac Thornberry, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

In a statement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), US’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, condemned terror attacks in Paris.

In another separate statement, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community expressed its deepest condolences to the victims and families of the horrific acts of terrorism in Paris.