DHAKA: French president Francois Hollande has vowed that his country will protect all religions, saying that Muslims are the main victims of fanaticism.

Speaking at the Arab World Institute, he said Islam was compatible with democracy and thanked Arabs for their solidarity over terrorism in Paris.

Attacks on ‘Charlie Hebdo’ magazine, a Jewish supermarket and a policewoman killed 17 people last week.

Funeral ceremonies for several of the victims are being held.

Among them are two of ‘Charlie Hebdo’s best known cartoonists, Bernard Verlhac - known as Tignous - and Georges Wolinski.

There are also funerals taking place for ‘Charlie Hebdo’ columnist Elsa Cayat and Franck Brinsolaro, a policeman assigned to guard ‘Charlie Hebdo’ editor Stephane Charbonnier.

Speaking on Thursday morning, Hollande said the French were united in the face of terror, reports the BBC.

‘French Muslims have the same rights as all other French,’ he said. ‘We have the obligation to protect them.’

‘Anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic acts have to be condemned and punished.’

BDST: 1946 HRS, JAN 15, 2015