Paris police arrest 12 linked to Charlie shootings as US' Kerry arrives

Police arrested a dozen people overnight suspected of helping the Islamist militant gunmen in last week's killings in Paris, the city prosecutor's office said on Friday as US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived for talks.

The arrests made in the region south of Paris including Montrouge, where a young policewoman was killed in the attacks, were in connection with suspected "logistical support" for the shootings, an official said.

Seventeen victims and the three attackers died in three days of violence that began on January 7 with an attack on the offices of satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. Kerry arrived late on Thursday. He met with French Foreign
Minister Laurent Fabius early on Friday before meeting with President Francois Hollande.

"It's good to be with you. We have a lot to talk about," Kerry said to Fabius.

Senior US representatives were absent from a commemoration march held in Paris on Sunday that was attended by dozens of world leaders.

Also Read: Charlie Hebdo attack: John Kerry to visit Paris to express solidarity