Paris attacks: Obama, Hollande pledge to work together to 'defeat the scourge of terrorism'

Paris: President Francois Hollande and his US counterpart Barack Obama vowed to reinforce their counter-terrorism cooperation following Friday’s attacks in Paris, according to a White House statement. “The President reiterated the United States’ steadfast, unwavering support for the people of France, our oldest ally and friend, and reaffirmed the offer of any necessary support to the French investigation,” the statement said, after the pair had spoken on the phone, reports AFP. [caption id=“attachment_2506164” align=“alignleft” width=“940”]  Paris attacks. Reuters[/caption] “The two leaders pledged to work together, and with nations around the world, to defeat the scourge of terrorism.” “Barack Obama wanted to express his support to the French people in the face of this terrible tragedy,” said a source close to the French presidency. “They reaffirmed their commitment to working closely in the fight against terrorism.” A US official briefed by the Justice Department says intelligence officials were not aware of any threats before a series of attacks in Paris, reports AP. The official says 70 US citizens currently known to be in France have not yet been accounted for, although no Americans have been reported killed in Friday’s attacks. The official says all members of Eagles of Death Metal, the California-based band that was to perform at the Paris venue where one attack occurred, are safe and have been accounted for. The official was not authorised to discuss the briefing publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. With inputs from AP and AFP