Yemen's al-Qaida leader claims responsibility for Charlie Hebdo attack

Yemen’s top al-Qaida leader has claimed responsibility in a video message for the attack on Charlie Hebdo.

Meanwhile in a separate development, French comic Dieudonne has been detained for defending terrorism after posting comments on Facebook – since deleted – that seemed to support the attackers who left 17 dead in the Paris region.

Dieudonne, who popularised an arm gesture that resembles a Nazi salute and who has been convicted repeatedly of racism and anti-Semitism, was in detention today.

His provocative performances were banned last year but he has a core following among many of France’s disaffected young people.

France’s government is preparing new anti-terrorism measures and says it want to crack down on anyone who defends terrorism.

On Monday, a man who praised the attackers in a drunken rant while resisting arrest was sentenced to four years in prison.