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Lavrov expresses solidarity with France hit by terror attacks

The foreign minister presented condolences over the terror attacks to President Francois Hollande who warmly welcomed him at the Elysee Palace

© EPA/YOAN VALAT

PARIS, January 11. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has arrived to the Elysee Palace in Paris ahead of a vast Paris unity march on Sunday after 17 people were killed during three days of deadly attacks.

The foreign minister presented condolences over the terror attacks to President Francois Hollande who warmly welcomed him at the Elysee Palace.

“The tragedy confirms a need for further joint efforts in fight against the threat of terrorism,” Sergey Lavrov told French counterpart Laurent Fabius ahead of a visit to Paris.

The prime ministers of Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain and other countries also arrived to the palace. Attorney General Eric Holder presents the United States.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas also accepted French president’s invitation to attend a march in support of democratic values.

From the official residence of the French president, the heads of about 50 foreign delegations will head for Place de la Republique, where a march will begin at 15:00 local time (17:00 Moscow time).

The square is filled with people. According to police, more than one million people are expected to take to the streets. The march will be led by relatives of the journalists of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, police officers and shoppers at a kosher supermarket killed by terrorists.

Police are on high alert and security measures have been stepped up as a large number of foreign politicians will join the march. A total of 5,500 police, gendarmes and military have been mobilized.

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