The French right wing leader Marine Le Pen called for a debate on the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in France on Friday, saying steps need to be taken to "ensure the security of the country and our people."

Speaking after a meeting with French President Francois Hollande, Le Pen went on to say that a change in French foreign policy was needed to sever ties with countries that "support and finance Islamic fundamentalism."

Hundreds of French security forces surrounded a printing house near Charles de Gaulle airport where two heavily armed brothers suspected of attacking a satirical newspaper had taken refuge on Friday.

Cherif and Said Kouachi are the chief suspects in an assault on the offices of Charlie Hebdo which left 12 people dead, including the chief editor and cartoonist who had been under armed guard following the publication of caricatures depicting the Prophet Muhammad.

A memorial ceremony for the victims of the attack is being planned for Sunday, to be held in Paris.

Le Pen, who has herself been the target of the satirical newspaper's front pages in the past, has not been formally invited to the memorial.

She said on Friday that she would not attend.

AP TELEVISION

Paris - 9 January 2015

1. Arrival of Marine Le Pen, the leader of far-right National Front party

2. Wide of Marine Le Pen coming to microphone

3. SOUNDBITE (French) Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front party:

"The (French) President (Francois Hollande) assured me that a profound debate on the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in our country will take place and that all the political parties will be listened to, regarding the necessary steps that need to be taken to ensure the security of the country and our people."

4. French and EU flags tied with black ribbons

5. SOUNDBITE (French) Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front party:

"I told the President about the need to change our foreign policy, more precisely our alliance with countries that support and finance Islamic fundamentalism."

6. Exterior of Elysee Palace (presidential palace)

7. SOUNDBITE (French) Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front party:

"The President assured me that my security will be guaranteed, and I thank him for that, but I will not try to, through connections with the organisers of the demonstration (commemorating Charlie Hebdo victims on Sunday), to try to get to a demonstration where obviously the organisers don't want to see us. I am educated. I don't want to go where they don't want me."

8. Le Pen leaving