Syrian regime behind 'massive use of chemical agents', France claims

The French government has alleged there was a “massive use of chemical agents” by the Syrian regime in last month’s attack – and warned of other strikes of a similar nature in the future.

The government published a nine-page synopsis today from the French intelligence service about Syria’s chemical weapons programme that found that at least 281 deaths could be attributed to the attack in areas outside Damascus. The analysis based that count in part from dozens of videos culled by French intelligence services.

President Francois Hollande has backed a call from President Barack Obama for a military strike against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government in retaliation for the attack.

Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault hosted lawmakers, his defence and foreign ministers, and intelligence and security officials to discuss Syria.

France’s parliament is to debate Syria on Wednesday, but no vote is scheduled. The French constitution doesn’t require such a vote for Mr Hollande to be able to authorise military action