United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon expressed relief on Friday following reports that the gunmen who stormed the Charlie Hebdo weekly had been killed and offered words of support to France.
“I’m relieved that these terrorists have been killed by the authorities of the French government,” Ban said after signing a book of condolences at the French mission to the United Nations.
The two main suspects behind Wednesday’s attack were killed by security forces who stormed a building where they were holed up on Friday and had taken a hostage northeast of Paris.
The secretary general said he spoke to President Francois Hollande by phone on Thursday and encouraged “him to show courage in overcoming this tragedy.”
In the book of condolences, Ban wrote in French: “I am confident that even through these dark days, France will continue to serve as a beacon for freedom and tolerance.”