Obama: America Stands with France Today and Tomorrow

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, reaffirmed his country's support for France, which he called America's "oldest ally," following the deadly Islamist attacks in France. He emphasized that America "stands with France today and will remain with France tomorrow." Obama's remarks came on Friday, January 9, just hours after French police operations against the perpetrators of the attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a hostage situation at a Jewish supermarket in eastern Paris, which resulted in the deaths of the attackers and the hostage-taker. According to Reuters, the U.S. President stated, "I want the people of France to know that the United States stands with you today. Tomorrow, we will be with you as well." He then referred to France as America's oldest ally and stressed that Washington is deploying its counterintelligence operations in accordance with the laws of the country to support its ally in facing this challenge. Obama added, "We hope that this threat has been eliminated. The French government will continue to face the threat of terrorism and must remain vigilant. The situation is fluid." The U.S. President concluded by stating, "President Hollande has made it clear that they will do whatever is necessary to protect their people, and I think it is important for us to know that France is our oldest ally." France has witnessed bloody events since Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of 20 people. These events began with the attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and the massacre of its cartoonists, continued with the hostage situation at a Jewish supermarket in eastern Paris, and ultimately ended with the deaths of the hostage-taker and the attackers of Charlie Hebdo. Following the onset of these events, Barack Obama offered assistance to his French counterpart in identifying and capturing those responsible for the Charlie Hebdo attack.