Paris, Jan 7 (IANS): French President Francois Hollande Wednesday said the shooting at the headquarters of a French magazine is "a terrorist attack".

Twelve people have been confirmed dead in the attack on the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo, a weekly satirical magazine Wednesday morning, Xinhua reported. Four other injured are in 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, the French prime minister's residence, earlier.

Hollande also announced that an emergency cabinet meeting will be held in the afternoon in the Elysee Palace.

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