French President Francois Hollande, following a crisis meeting at the Elysee Palace spoke to the people of France.

In a live televised address he referred to the “brave and talented journalists” who were killed and called on all French people to take part in a minutes silence on Thursday at midday which he announced would be a national day of mourning. Flags will fly at half mast in the country for three days.

The thoughts of all France he said went out to the families of the journalists who are grieving for their relatives shot in Paris. He also paid tribute to the two policemen who were killed.

“This was an attack on freedom, we must be ourselves and we must realise our best weapon is unity. Nothing must separate us or drive us apart. France is a great nation when under pressure. We are stronger than our enemies when we are together.”

He stressed the need for the country to defend the freedom of speech and ended the brief address in a determined tone.

‘We will win. Nothing will make us renounce our determination. Long live the republic. Long live France. “