UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed outrage at the "despicable attack" against the French magazine Charlie Hebdo.
At the UN Correspondents Association (UNCA), UN Secretary General Ban said the attacks were "a horrendous, unjustifiable and cold-blooded crime," accusing it of being "a direct assault on a cornerstone of democracy - on the media and freedom of expression." Ban extended his deepest condolences to the families and his best wishes to all those injured, saying "we stand with the Government and people of France." The UN top official noted that he trust that the French authorities will do all in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice quickly.
"This horrific attack is meant to divide," he added, therefore, "we must not fall into that trap".