Hollande declares Jan 8 mourning day in France

Flowers are placed in remembrance of those killed in Paris today, at the front gate of the French Embassy in Washington January 7, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - French President Francois Hollande announced, during his brief televised declaration on Wednesday evening, Thursday, Jan 8, is a mourning day all over France, and flags will be at half staff for three days, for all the victims of Charlie Hebdo attack.

The French president also precised that, among the 12 victims, there were 11 men and one woman.

"These men and woman are killed for the idea that they had of France, that's is freedom," said Hollande, adding that "today they are our heroes."

"Our best weapon, it is our unity. Nothing can divide us, nothing can stop us, and nothing can separate us," said the French president, calling all French citizens to unite together at this difficult time in France.

According to earlier reports, two masked and heavily armed men stormed into the headquarters of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, earlier in the day, killing at least 12 victims, including two policemen. This is the most deadly attack in France in decades.