Hundreds of thousands of French people were taking part in rallies across France on Saturday to condemn the recent deadly attacks in France and pay tribute to the 17 victims.
An estimated 700,000 demonstrators were rallying in different cities ahead of Sunday's symbolic "Republican march" that aims to show unity in face of terrorism.
French daily Le Figaro reported that 20,000 gathered in Orleans, north-central France, 35,000 in Pau in southwest, 23,000 in Nice in southeast, 80,000 in Toulouse in southwest, 20,000 in the city center of Besancon in the east, and thousands in Nantes west of France, to attend the rallies.
The people rallied in silence raising banners with the phrases 'Je suis Charlie' and 'Nous sommes Charlie', or 'I'm Charlie' and 'We are Charlie,’ respectively.
Banners also carried slogans such as: 'I'm against racism', 'I'm against Fascism' and 'Living together free equal in solidarity.'
France remained on tenterhooks Saturday as authorities searched for suspects, including wives of three slain gunmen who murdered 17 people, who included leading cartoonists, civilians and police officers in deadly attacks in and around Paris.
The manhunt is continuing for Hayat Boumediene, the wife of Amedy Coulibaly who had taken hostages at a supermarket in Paris and killed four people.
Boumediene is believed to be an accomplice in the attacks.
All three suspected gunmen, who were involved in the worst terror attacks France saw in decades, were killed Friday.
Leaders from all over the world will take part in a unity march in Paris to pay tribute to the victims of the attacks.
A number of French political parties, unions, associations and religious institutions are also planning to join the march.
