THE Sydney Opera House has been lit up with the colours of the French flag in a solemn act of solidarity following the terror attacks in Paris.
This comes after more than 1200 people, including Premier Mike Baird, attended a vigil at Martin Place to pay tribute to those lost in the horrific attacks.
“Everyone in Sydney and NSW stands with out friends here from France... And we say, together, we will overcome,” Mr Baird said.
“Our hearts are broken but our spirit remains strong. And we join with sorrow with our friends today.”
In a powerful symbol of support, countries around the world are paying tribute to the people of France by showcasing red, white and blue on their buildings.
New York has lit the One World Trade Centre, the tallest building in America, blue, white and red in solidarity with France after attackers killed at least 120 people in Paris.
It was a powerful symbol of US friendship and support for the French, made from the tallest building in the United States, which was built on the site of the 9/11 attacks on New York.
Its 124m spire is so large it can be seen across much of America’s largest city and across the Hudson River in New Jersey.
“Today, and in the days ahead, New York will light One World Trade Centre in blue, white and red as we stand in solemn solidarity with the people of France,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said.
The gesture of support is the latest from leaders around the world who have expressed solidarity with France after the wave of deadly attacks in Paris.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the attacks bore all the hallmarks of terror group Daesh, also known as Islamic State.
Speaking from Berlin, he said he had spoken with Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) who did not believe an increase in Australian’s terror threat alert level was justified at this stage.
“In France and Australia, all around the world, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of France and with all free peoples in the battle against terrorism,” he said.
Mr Turnbull said protecting freedom involved a global battle against those who sought to assert religious tyranny.
“A threat in the name of God, but (it) is truthfully the work of the devil,” he said.
President Barack Obama has spoken by phone to French President Francois Hollande to offer the condolences of the American people for the attacks in Paris.
The White House says in a statement Friday night that Obama has reiterated the United States’ steadfast, unwavering support for the people of France, calling the nation America’s oldest ally and friend.
President Obama also has reaffirmed the offer of any necessary support to the French investigation.
The White House says the two leaders have pledged to work together, and with nations around the world, to defeat the scourge of terrorism.
A U.S. official briefed by the Justice Department says intelligence officials were not aware of any threats before a series of attacks in Paris.
The Kremlin also condemned the “hateful” string of attacks and the “inhuman murders” of at least 40 people in Paris, Russian news agencies reported.
President Vladimir Putin has offered condolences and support to his counterpart Francois Hollande and the French people, TASS news agency said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was “deeply shaken by the news and pictures that are reaching us from Paris.”
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is condemning “the despicable terrorist attacks” in Paris and is demanding the immediate release of numerous hostages being held in the Bataclan theatre.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said he was “deeply shocked” by the events in Paris.
Other members of the European Commission, the executive arm of the 28-nation European Union, have also reacted to the events.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, writing in French, tweeted that she “is in the process of following with pain and dread the events in Paris.” Mogherini, the multilingual former Italian foreign minister, added: “Europe is with France and the French people.”
France has been on high alert since the jihadist attacks in January against Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket that left 17 dead.
Several other attacks have been foiled through the year.
More than 500 French fighters are thought to be with IS in Syria and Iraq, according to official figures, while 250 have returned and some 750 expressed a desire to go there.
The government announced last week that it was restoring border checks as a security measure for UN climate talks that start in Paris at the end of this month.
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