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Minutes before French President François Hollande made his first official statement on the attacks in Paris, President Barack Obama addressed the White House press corps, condemning the terrorists’ actions, which have cost as many as 129 lives.
“This is an attack, not just on Paris; it’s an attack, not just on the people of France; but this an attack on humanity and the universal values that we share.”
“We will do everything possible to work with the French people and nations around the world to bring these terrorists to justice,” Obama continued from the Press Room. “This is a heartbreaking situation, and obviously, those of us here in the United States know what it’s like. We’ve gone through these kinds of episodes ourselves.”
“We are reminded in this time of tragedy that the bonds of liberté, égalité, and fraternité are not only 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 perpetuated the crimes this evening.”
President Obama, who had spoken to President Hollande early on Friday about the upcoming G8 summit, expected to be in close contact with the French president throughout the following days.
