PARIS (AP), Nov 14 – President Barack Obama has spoken by phone to French President Francois Hollande to offer the condolences of the American people for the attacks in Paris. The White House says in a statement Friday night that Obama has reiterated the United States’ steadfast, unwavering support for the people of France, calling the nation America’s oldest ally and friend.
Obama also has reaffirmed the offer of any necessary support to the French investigation. The White House says the two leaders have pledged to work together, and with nations around the world, to defeat the scourge of terrorism. A U.S. official briefed by the Justice Department says intelligence officials were not aware of any threats before a series of attacks in Paris.
The official says 70 U.S. citizens currently known to be in France have not yet been accounted for, although no Americans have been reported killed in Friday’s attacks. The official says all members of Eagles of Death Metal, the California-based band that was to perform at the Paris venue where one attack occurred, are safe and have been accounted for. The official was not authorized to discuss the briefing publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
