General

Over 120 killed in Paris gunfire, explosions

by Press TV, 13 November 2015.
More
than 120 people have been killed and over 200 others injured in the
French capital Paris in the deadliest attacks to hit the country since
the Second World War.

According to French media on Friday
night, several people, who had been held hostage by gunmen at the
Bataclan concert hall in central Paris, were killed. Witnesses say the
terrorists were shooting for 10 to 15 minutes. Officials said eight of
the attackers were killed, including three of them who blew themselves
up. Fatalities were also reported in other attacks across Paris.

French riot police secure the area near the Bataclan arts center in Paris, November 13, 2015. (Reuters)

In another Friday attack, at least 11 people were killed by gunmen outside a bar called Le Carillon in Paris.
The assailants also opened fire at the Petit Cambodge restaurant in the city’s 10th district, killing four people.
According to the French Liberation daily, at least 100 rounds were also fired at La Belle Equipe cafe in the 11th district. 

The scene of a shooting at the Petit Cambodge restaurant in Paris, November 13, 2015 (Twitter)

Police and rescuers work at the scene of an attack in the 10th district of the French capital Paris, November 13, 2015. (AFP)

Blasts near national stadium
Three explosions near Stade de France, the country’s national stadium just north of Paris, left several people dead and injured.
At
the time of the explosions, French President Francois Hollande was
present at the stadium, where France were hosting Germany, but he was
evacuated to safety before holding crisis talks with Prime Minister
Manuel Valls and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve at the Interior
Ministry building.

Rescue
service personnel are working near the covered bodies following a
shooting incident at the Cambodge restaurant in Paris, November 13,
2015. (Reuters)

  
Spectators
gather on the pitch of the Stade de France stadium following the
friendly football match between France and Germany, after a series of
attacks took place across Paris, November 13, 2015. (AFP)

The
explosions near the stadium could be heard inside during the match as
they happened in the first half, but the match was not stopped. France
beat Germany 2-0 in a game overshadowed by the terrifying violence.

Reports said another shooting and bombing attack took place at Les Halles, a shopping center in central Paris.
Government officials and police in Paris advised residents to stay indoors.

Crowds
leave the Stade de France stadium in Paris, following the friendly
soccer match between France and Germany, after a series of attacks took
place across Paris, November 13, 2015. (Reuters)

French
police said at least four attackers — three of whom wearing explosive
belts — were killed, warning that some other assailants “may still be
on the loose.”

State of emergency
In a brief televised statement, Hollande said two major decisions had been made and a cabinet meeting had been called.
Pointing
to the first decision, he said, “A state of emergency will be
declared,” adding, “The second measure will be the closure of national
borders.”

“We must ensure that no one comes in to
commit any act whatsoever, and at the same time make sure that those who
have committed these crimes should be arrested if they try to leave the
country,” the French president noted.

French
President Francois Hollande (C), flanked by French Interior Minister
Bernard Cazeneuve (Rear L) and French Prime Minister manuel Valls (R)
addresses reporters near the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris,
early on November 14, 2015.  (AFP)

Hollande
has also cancelled his planned visit to the G20 summit in Turkey, due
on November 15 and 16, following the Paris attacks.

Large
numbers of Parisians held candlelight vigils across the city in the
early hours of Saturday morning in memory of the victims of the deadly
Friday attacks.

Global condemnation
A large number of political figures and international bodies across the globe denounced the fatal Paris attacks.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the “despicable terrorist attacks” raids, and the 15-member United Nations Security Council also denounced the “barbaric and cowardly terrorist attacks.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered condolences and support to his counterpart Francois Hollande and the people of France.
At
a press conference at the White House, US President Barack Obama said
his administration is ready to “provide whatever assistance that the
government and the people of France need,” and pledged to “bring these
terrorists to justice and go after any terrorist networks” involved. He
also described the series of deadly incidents across Paris as an “attack
on all of humanity”.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she is “deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron said he was “shocked” by the attacks in Paris, vowing to assist the neighboring country.
European
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wrote on his Twitter page that
he was “deeply shocked by the events in Paris,” expressing “full
solidarity with the people of France.”