Cartoonists react to Paris terror attack

Cartoonists around the world have reacted to a terror attack in Paris killing 12 people, including a police officer, at the controversial satire newspaper Charlie Hebdo.

By using their most powerful weapon – a pen – cartoonists are expressing their grief and support to their French colleagues by drawing satirical images.

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At least 12 people have died after gunmen opened fire at the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo, killing some of the best-known political satirical cartoonists.

Victims included four prominent cartoonists, including chief editor, who had been holding a morning meeting when the assailants armed with Kalashnikovs burst in and opened fire, officials said.

The publication reprinted cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in 2006, angering Muslim groups at the time.

The two gunmen managed to escape and remained on the run on Wednesday, with few clues on their whereabouts and parts of the French capital in lockdown.

Prosecutors said witnesses heard the gunmen shout "we have avenged the prophet" and "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest) as they carried out the attack.

Police said the calm, calculated manner of the assault showed they were highly trained.

President Francois Hollande immediately rushed to the scene of what he called "an act of exceptional barbarism" and "undoubtedly a terrorist attack".

The attack took place at a time of heightened fears in France and other European capitals over fallout from the wars in Iraq and Syria, where hundreds of European citizens have gone to fight alongside the radical Islamic State group.