King condemns Paris terror attack

AMMAN – His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday sent a cable of condolences to French President Francois Hollande, expressing sympathy with the French people over the death of 11 journalists in a terrorist attack on the Paris offices of the weekly satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo (Charlie Weekly), the Royal Court said in a statement.

His Majesty voiced his strong condemnation of the attack  and wishes of speedy recovery for the injured.

He expressed Jordan’s solidarity with France and its people and leadership as they mourn the victims.

At least 12 people, including two police officers, were killed and another 20 people were injured in the attack, including four or five critically, Reuters reported.

Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani said Wednesday that the shooting is an attack against “noble values and principles” and against the “friendly nation” ofFrance.

In the attack, hooded gunmen stormed the Parisoffices of the weekly satirical magazine, which was the target of a firebombing in 2011 after publishing cartoons deriding Prophet Mohammad on its cover, according to Reuters.

Ten members of the Charlie Hebdo staff died in the attack, prosecutors said. Sources at the weekly said the dead included co-founder Jean "Cabu" Cabut and editor-in-chief Stephane "Charb" Charbonnier.

French police extended a manhunt on Thursday for two brothers suspected of perpetrating the presumed Islamist militant strike, according to Reuters. A third man turned himself over to police.

France began a day of mourning for the journalists and police officers shot dead on Wednesday morning by black-hooded gunmen using Kalashnikov assault rifles. French tricolor flags flew at half mast throughout the country.