Kerry 'Felt Bad' Not Attending Paris Rally

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By Sky News US Team

US Secretary of State John Kerry has paid his respects to the victims of last week's terrorist attacks in Paris.

Mr Kerry's visit aimed at expressing America's solidarity with the French people amid lingering criticism of the Obama administration's failure to send a high-level official to Paris for Sunday's unity march.

The rally attracted some 40 world leaders and more than a million demonstrators.

Mr Kerry told his French counterpart that he "felt bad" not being in Paris as he saw millions of people demonstrating.

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Gallery: Kerry Pays Tribute To Paris Victims

John Kerry lays a wreath with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in memory of the victims of last week's terror attack on a kosher supermarket

The Secretary of State's visit aimed at reasserting America's solidarity

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Mr Kerry and Mr Fabius at the offices of Charlie Hebdo, the satirical magazine where 12 people were killed

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Mr Kerry told Mr Fabius "he felt bad not being here" as millions demonstrated for free speech and in memory of the victims, Mr Fabius said

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Mr Kerry said: "Our hearts are with you"

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"This has touched him," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.

"He saw the millions demonstrating, he told me that he felt bad not being here."

The White House said in a rare admission that it should have sent a higher-level official to the unity rally, which was attended by the US ambassador to France.

Mr Kerry was greeted by French President Francois Hollande upon arriving in Paris on Friday morning.

"I think you know that you have the full and heartfelt condolences of the American people and I know you know that we share the pain and the horror of everything that you went through," said Mr Kerry, who speaks fluent French.

"Our hearts are with you," added Mr Kerry, who had said he was coming "to share a big hug with Paris" - and he and the French president hugged each other.

Mr Hollande said the French people "were the victims of an exceptional terrorist attack. We must, therefore, together find the necessary response".

Last week's terrorist atrocities in France led to the deaths of 17 people, including 12 at the Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine. A policewoman was killed in Paris and four more people were shot dead in an attack on a kosher supermarket.

The three gunmen were killed in shoot-out with police.

Mr Kerry laid wreaths at the sites of the attacks.

He went to the Hyper Cacher kosher market, where his tribute was the latest addition to a long stretch of flowers and candles that have been placed alongside police barriers that surround the shop.

Then Mr Kerry laid another wreath at the memorial to those killed at Charlie Hebdo, where gunmen said they were avenging the publication of cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed.

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