Obama: Paris shooting a cowardly attack on journalists

President Barack Obama speaks to members of the media prior to his meeting with from left, Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden and National Security Adviser Susan Rice, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. AP

President Barack Obama speaks to members of the media prior to his meeting with from left, Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden and National Security Adviser Susan Rice, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. AP

WASHINGTON— President Barack Obama says the attack on a Paris newspaper was an attack on journalists and the free press. He’s calling it cowardly and evil.

Obama is expressing his deepest sympathies for the French after an attack Wednesday that killed 12. Obama says he hopes to speak today with French President Francois Hollande.

Obama says France is one of America’s strongest and oldest allies and has been with the U.S. “every moment” since 9/11. He’s says the attack in Paris reinforces solidarity between the two countries.

Three masked gunmen shouted “Allahu akbar!” as they stormed the Paris offices of a satirical newspaper. It was France’s deadliest postwar terrorist attack.

Obama spoke in the Oval Office before meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Joe Biden.

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