PARIS, Jan. 7 -- French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday that the shooting at the headquarters of a French newspaper is "a terrorist attack".

12 people have been confirmed dead in the attack on the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday morning. Another 4 injured are in a critical condition.

Denouncing the "shocking attack", Hollande said France raised anti-terrorism alert in greater Paris area to the highest level after the shooting amid fears of eventual attacks in the region.

"Without doubt, it's a terrorist attack against an office that has been threatened several times, which is why it was protected," he added.

Vigipirate, France's national security alert system, has been raised to Scarlet, its highest level which means a definite threat, in the greater Paris area, announced Matignon earlier.

Hollande also announced that an emergency cabinet meeting is to be held this afternoon at 14:00 local time in Elysee.

Charlie Hebdo was firebombed in 2011, due to publishing a controversial series of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed.