France observes minute of silence for Charlie Hebdo victims

France has observed a minute of silence, broken only by church bells, in honour of the 12 people killed by jihadists at a magazine known for publishing cartoons deemed offensive to Islam.

At midday on Thursday, crowds of people stood silently in public squares, schools and outside official buildings.

Bells tolled at Paris' Notre Dame cathedral and in churches across the country.

The rector of the Paris Mosque called on Muslims to observe the moment of silence and honour victims of this "exceptional violence."

French President Francois Hollande called on people to unite against terrorism and intolerance.