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UN chief condemns attack on French magazine

Other News Materials 8 January 2015 01:17 (UTC +04:00)
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday condemned an attack on the offices of a French magazine that left at least 12 people dead.
UN chief condemns attack on French magazine

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Wednesday condemned an attack on the offices of a French magazine that left at least 12 people dead, Xinhua reported.

Calling it "a horrendous, unjustifiable and cold-blooded crime, " Ban expressed his outrage at the "despicable" attack, which was "a direct assault on a cornerstone of democracy -- on the media and freedom of expression."

Speaking to reporters here at UN headquarters, Ban extended his deepest condolences to the families and his best wishes to all those injured. "We stand with the government and people of France, " he said.

"This horrific attack is meant to divide. We must not fall into that trap," he stressed, adding that he trusts the French authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly.

"This is a moment for solidarity," Ban said. "Around the world, we must stand strong for freedom of expression and tolerance and stand against forces of division and hate."

At least 12 people, including two police officers, were killed at noon time on Wednesday in a shooting at the Paris headquarters of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical weekly.

In November 2011, the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo was fire bombed after it put an image of the Prophet Mohammad on its cover.

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