President Obama said Friday he’s hopeful that French authorities have eliminated the immediate threat after three days of terrorist attacks and pledged that the U.S. will always fight alongside France against terrorism.
“We’re hopeful that the immediate threat is now resolved, thanks to the courage and professionalism of the French personnel on the ground,” Mr. Obama said at an education event in Knoxville, Tennessee. “The situation is fluid.”
French authorities said Friday they killed two brothers who had murdered 12 people at the office of a satire magazine in Paris this week. Another terrorist was killed at a kosher deli in Paris after taking hostages, at least three of whom were reportedly killed.
The president said of the French, “We grieve with you.”
“I want the people of France to know that the United States stands with you today, stands with you tomorrow,” Mr. Obama said. “We fight alongside you to uphold our values.”
He added, “In the streets of Paris, the world has seen once again what terrorists stand for. They have nothing to offer but hatred and human suffering. We stand for freedom and hope and the dignity of all human beings. That’s what the city of Paris represents to the world. That spirit will endure forever, long after the scourge of terrorism is banished from this world.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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