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French President Francois Hollande has vowed that his country will protect all religions, saying that Muslims are the main victims of fanaticism, the BBC reported.

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

Three attacks, including on Charlie Hebdo magazine and a Jewish supermarket last week, killed 17 people.

Funeral ceremonies for five of the victims will be held later.

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

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

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

"The law has to be enforced in a firm way in places of worship like churches, mosques, and synagogues."

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

Mr Hollande said that radical Islam had fed off contradictions, poverty, inequality and conflict, and that "it is Muslims who are the first victims of fanaticism, fundamentalism and intolerance."

On Wednesday he declared Charlie Hebdo magazine "reborn" after a new edition sold out in hours.