Gabon's president condemns terrorist attack in Paris

Gabon's President Ali Bongo Ondimba said those who carried out the attack at the Charlie Hebdo magazine offices in Paris on Wednesday had "betrayed Islam."

"I learnt this morning that a very violent and deadly attack was carried out at a French magazine offices in Paris, leading to the death of many victims including journalists and cartoonists," the president said in Libreville.

"Those who carried out this attack had betrayed Islam, gone against the teachings of Prophet Mohamed and completely turned their backs to God. Their action went against all that they purported to defend," Ali Bongo said.

"We do not have words that can strongly condemn this odious and unjustifiable act," he said, before sending sincere condolences, on behalf of the Gabonese government and its people, to the families of the victims of the attack.

"This attack demonstrates once more why hate and intolerance should be fought with extreme rigour," Ali Bongo concluded.

On Wednesday, three people entered the headquarters of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. They first killed the two police officers guarding the building before shooting at everyone who was seen in the office.

Provisional death toll was placed at 12. Endi