World leaders expressed shock after a series of attacks rocked Paris, where at least 129 people were killed at six locations.
President Barack Obama vowed to stand by France in the midst of this "heartbreaking situation."
"Once again we've seen an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians," Obama said. "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. We stand prepared and ready to provide whatever assistance that the government and people of France need to respond.
"France is our oldest ally. The French people have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the United States time and again. And we want to be very clear that we stand together with them in the fight against terrorism and extremism. Paris itself represents the timeless values of human progress. Those who think that they can terrorize 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."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she is "deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris." The German leader issued a statement that said her thoughts are with the victims of the "apparent terrorist attack."
Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of the NATO alliance, said he is "deeply shocked by horrific Paris attacks," and wrote on Twitter that "We stand together with the people of #France. Terrorism will never defeat democracy."
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned "the despicable terrorist attacks" in Paris.
U.S. & World
Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the terrorist attacks in Paris:
“I’m following the terrorist attacks in Paris closely. These attacks are diabolical; an effort to kill perfectly innocent people in different locations and situations. There’s no question these are terrorist attacks. The United States stands with France and we’ll do whatever we can to help.”
Pope Francis shared a message of solidarity and condemned the "homicidal hatred" of the attack, writing:
"Here in the Vatican we are following the terrible news from Paris. We are shocked by this new manifestation of maddening, terrorist violence and hatred which we condemn in the most radical way together with the pope and all those who love peace. We pray for the victims and the wounded, and for all the French people. This is an attack on peace for all humanity, and it requires a decisive, supportive response on the part of all of us as we counter the spread the homicidal hatred in all of its forms."
Secretary of State John Kerry echoed President Obama, and said: "We stand with the French people tonight, as our peoples have always stood together in our darkest hours."
He condemned the taking of hostages as "heinous, evil, vile acts," calling for "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."
Kerry also noted that the U.S. embassy in Paris is making every effort to account for the welfare of American citizens in the city and stood ready to provide whatever support the French government may require in the days ahead.
Vice President Biden expressed his condolences, calling the attacks "savagery" and calling for the U.S. to stand alongside the people of France:
"I join President Obama in offering my deepest condolences to all those wounded and to the families who lost loved ones in today’s terrorist attacks in Paris. It’s heartbreaking. Outrageous. The American people understand and share the pain the people of Paris are going through. 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. And, as we’ve done before, in the face of dangers and threats, we will look out for one another. We will stand together. We will never bow. We will never break. That’s the character of our two nations. We are bound by timeless democratic values that the cowardice and perverse ideologues of extremist networks can never match, wherever they are. Such savagery can never threaten who we are. We will respond. We will overcome. We will endure."
Other politicians and celebrities went to Twitter to express their sympathies and thoughts.
World Leaders:
François Fillon, Former Prime Minister of France
David Cameron, British Prime Minister
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EU Commmission
Presidential Candidates:
