France condemns attempted assassination of Pakistani journalist

France on Tuesday condemned an attempt on the life of renowned Pakistani TV journalist Hamid Mir, who was shot last Saturday by unknown gunmen. Mir, a news anchor for "Geo News" TV station, is recovering in stable condition. "We call on the Pakistani authorities to bring to justice the perpetrators of this attack and we assure them of our support in the fight against terrorism and against all forms of intolerance," a Foreign Ministry statement said. "Attacks against journalists aim at freedom of expression and freedom of information (which) are the very foundations of democracy," the statement added. France said it was eager to give "priority importance" to ensure journalists all over the world can work in safety. French authorities are especially mobilised in favour of journalists these days as a number of French reporters have been kidnapped in the past year. Four journalists held in Syria for 10 months my radical groups were released last Saturday.