WASHINGTON, January 9 (Sputnik) – Although the immediate terrorist threat to France is over, the United States are ready to help Paris overcome the unstable situation, US President Barack Obama said Friday.
"We directed all of our law enforcement and counter-intelligence operations to provide whatever support that our ally [France] needs in confronting this challenge. We are hopeful that the immediate threat is now resolved," Obama said during a public appearance in Tennessee. According to the president, the French government is still facing the threat of terrorism, and "has to remain vigilant."
Obama added that the White House has been in touch with French authorities from the very beginning of the tragic events.
"It's important for us to understand — France is our oldest ally. I want the people of France to know that the United States stands with you today, stands with you tomorrow," he said.
On January 7, armed gunmen entered central Paris offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, where they killed 12 people. Two days after, a gunman took hostages at a kosher food supermarket in one of Paris' districts, demanding freedom for the Charlie Hebdo attack suspects.
