Updates on France attack as death toll up to 128

                                      

French prosecutors have a provisional death toll of 128 with another 99 in critical condition, Reuters reports. 

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Paris. In a statement published online, the jihadist group said the attacks were designed to show France it remained a "top target". The group claims it studied the target locations and carried out the attack using "eight brothers wearing explosive belts and carrying assault rifles".

The claim was issued in written format in French and Arabic, and in audio format, all via established IS channels, according to the BBC's jihadist media expert Peter King.

The statement claims that "eight brothers wearing explosive vests and assault rifles targeted carefully chosen locations in the heart of the French capital". It goes on to call Paris the "capital of abomination and perversion".

"In a holy attack facilitated by Allah, a group of believers and soldiers of the caliphate – may Allah give it might and victory – targeted the capital of abomination and perversion, the one that carries the banner of the cross in Europe, Paris."

Francois Hollande has said the Islamic State is behind the attack in Paris, which he called an "act of war".

Mr Hollande said the attacks had been planned and organised from abroad with help from inside France.  

He also declared three days of national mourning.

David Cameron, who is expected to make a statement shortly on the attacks, tweeted a message of solidarity to the French.

"My message to the French people: Nous sommes solidaires avec vous. Nous sommes tous ensemble. We are with you. United."

He also warns "we must be prepared for a number of British casualties" after the "brutal" Paris attacks.

He convened a meeting of his government's Cobra emergency response committee on Saturday.

Mr Cameron earlier said he was "shocked" by the gun and bomb attacks, adding: "We will do whatever we can to help."

Downing Street flags was reportedly lowered to half mast.

The North Terminal at London Gatwick Airport has been evacuated. Sussex Police told the BBC they are dealing with a suspicious package. 

Israel will fly its flags at government offices and embassies abroad at half mast as a sign of solidarity with the French people, BBC Jerusalem producer Gidi Kleiman reports.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has offered his condolences: "Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with French President Francois Hollande and with the people of France in our common battle against terrorism. On behalf of the people of Israel, I send condolences to the families of those murdered and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.

Angela Merkel has added to her earlier statement, saying the attackers in Paris "hate freedom". 

Speaking to reporters in Berlin, the German chancellor said the victims "wanted to live the life of free people in a city that celebrates freedom", and called the gunmen "murderers who hate precisely this life of freedom".

Germany has offered its counter-terrorism resources to France to aid the investigation. The attack "was aimed not just at Paris, it targeted and it hits all of us," she added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says international powers must do "much more" to fight Islamic State and groups like it, Reuters reports.

Ahead of a meeting with his US counterpart John Kerry and United Nations special envoy Steffan de Mistura, he told reporters: There is no justification for terrorist acts and no justification for us not (to do) much more to defeat ISIS, al-Nusrah and the like.

Our prayers are with you France.