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French MPs shown 'evidence' of Syria chemical weapons Syrian government behind 'massive chemical attack'
(35 minutes later)
French PM Jean-Marc Ayrault has presented intelligence to MPs which he says shows Syria used chemical weapons. France says the suspected chemical attack near Damascus last month "could not have been ordered and carried out by anyone but the Syrian government".
The dossier is said to show that Syria has large chemical stockpiles and was behind a chemical attack which is thought to have killed hundreds. A report presented to parliament by Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said the assault on 21 August involved the "massive use of chemical agents".
France and the US are both pushing for punitive military action against the Syrian regime. The UK parliament has voted to stay out of such a raid. It concluded that at least 281 deaths could be attributed to the attack.
France and the US are pushing for punitive military action, which the UK parliament rejected last week.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has again denied being behind the attack.Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has again denied being behind the attack.
In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, to be released on Tuesday, he said it would have been "illogical". In an interview with French newspaper Le Figaro, he said it would have been "illogical".
He also warned that foreign military action could ignite a wider regional conflict.He also warned that foreign military action could ignite a wider regional conflict.
"Everyone will lose control of the situation when the powder keg explodes. Chaos and extremism will spread", he said."Everyone will lose control of the situation when the powder keg explodes. Chaos and extremism will spread", he said.
Mr Assad also warned France that there would be "repercussions" to any involvement in Syria. Mr Assad also warned France that there would be "repercussions" from any involvement in Syria.
Vote pressureVote pressure
The alleged chemical attack took place in the Ghouta, an eastern area of the capital on 21 August. The US says 426 children were among the more than 1,400 people killed. The alleged chemical attack took place in the Ghouta, an agricultural belt around the capital on 21 August. The US put the death toll at 1,429, including 426 children.
The US administration has already presented its case that the Assad regime was behind the attack, and now Mr Ayrault is presenting France's own intelligence dossier to parliamentary leaders. The US administration has already presented its case that the Assad regime was behind the attack. On Monday Mr Ayrault presented France's own intelligence dossier to parliamentary leaders.
"We are going to give the MPs everything we have - classified until now - to enable every one of them to take on board the reality of the unacceptable attack," he said on Monday. The nine-page report drawn up by France's military and foreign intelligence services states: "Analysis of the information we have today leads us to conclude that, on 21 August 2013, the Syrian regime launched an attack on certain districts on the outskirts of Damascus held by opposition units that combined conventional means and massive use of chemical agents."
French MPs are due to debate the issue at an extraordinary session of parliament on Wednesday. French MPs are due to debate the issue in an extraordinary session of parliament on Wednesday.
President Francois Hollande is constitutionally able to order an attack without parliamentary approval, but there is growing pressure for a vote on Syria, as happened in the UK and has been promised in the US. However, Mr Ayrault has ruled out a vote, as happened in the UK and is scheduled to take place in the US after 9 September.
President Francois Hollande is constitutionally able to order an attack without parliamentary approval.
US lawmakers are due to reconvene next week, and White House officials have said that when it comes to a vote, they believe there will be enough support for the president.US lawmakers are due to reconvene next week, and White House officials have said that when it comes to a vote, they believe there will be enough support for the president.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday samples from hair and blood gathered after the 21 August attack had tested positive for "signatures of sarin", and that he was confident Congress would give its approval for strikes, "because they understand the stakes".US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday samples from hair and blood gathered after the 21 August attack had tested positive for "signatures of sarin", and that he was confident Congress would give its approval for strikes, "because they understand the stakes".
However some lawmakers have expressed doubts about President Barack Obama's plan for a "limited, narrow" military operation, questioning its purpose and effectiveness.However some lawmakers have expressed doubts about President Barack Obama's plan for a "limited, narrow" military operation, questioning its purpose and effectiveness.
By putting off an attack and seeking congressional approval, President Obama has taken the biggest gamble of his presidency, the BBC's North America editor Mark Mardell says. By putting off an attack and seeking congressional approval, President Obama has taken the biggest gamble of his presidency, says the BBC's North America editor Mark Mardell.
He adds that it would be disastrous for the president if Congress does not back him, and his decision to call for a vote would look foolish.
Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said he is personally convinced that a chemical attack took place and that the Assad government was responsible.Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said he is personally convinced that a chemical attack took place and that the Assad government was responsible.
There must be "a firm international response" to deter any future use of such weapons, he said, or else it would send a "dangerous signal to dictators all over the world".There must be "a firm international response" to deter any future use of such weapons, he said, or else it would send a "dangerous signal to dictators all over the world".
But he added that he did envisage Nato having a role in such action, saying he would expect any military response to be "a very short, measured, targeted operation" and that the alliance's resources would not be needed. But he added that he did not envisage any further role for Nato, saying he would expect any military response to be "a very short, measured, targeted operation" and that the alliance's resources would not be needed.
'Support for Islamists''Support for Islamists'
Meanwhile fighting has continued across Syria, in a conflict which has already left an estimated 100,000 people dead since 2011.Meanwhile fighting has continued across Syria, in a conflict which has already left an estimated 100,000 people dead since 2011.
On Monday, activists said 20 rebel fighters were killed in an army ambush in Adra, north-east of Damascus, AFP news agency reports.On Monday, activists said 20 rebel fighters were killed in an army ambush in Adra, north-east of Damascus, AFP news agency reports.
In other developments:In other developments:
On Sunday, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad told the BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Damascus that any attack against Syria would be "support for al-Qaeda and its affiliates, whether Jabat al-Nusra or the State of Islam in Syria and Iraq".On Sunday, Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad told the BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Damascus that any attack against Syria would be "support for al-Qaeda and its affiliates, whether Jabat al-Nusra or the State of Islam in Syria and Iraq".
Jabat al-Nusra and other groups linked to al-Qaeda have come to play a significant anti-Assad role in the conflict.Jabat al-Nusra and other groups linked to al-Qaeda have come to play a significant anti-Assad role in the conflict.
Mr Mekdad - considered to be highly influential within the Assad government - also warned that possible US intervention would deepen "hatred for the Americans" and destabilise the whole Middle East.Mr Mekdad - considered to be highly influential within the Assad government - also warned that possible US intervention would deepen "hatred for the Americans" and destabilise the whole Middle East.
President Obama was "determined to launch an attack", he said, and the US Congress would base any decision on attacking Syria on whether it was in the interests of Israel.President Obama was "determined to launch an attack", he said, and the US Congress would base any decision on attacking Syria on whether it was in the interests of Israel.
Syria is known to have extensive supplies of chemical weapons.Syria is known to have extensive supplies of chemical weapons.
Mr Obama has often said that using them would cross a "red line", prompting US intervention.Mr Obama has often said that using them would cross a "red line", prompting US intervention.
Damascus has been fighting rebel forces since March 2011.
More than 100,000 people are estimated to have died in the conflict, and at least 1.7 million have become refugees.
Forces which could be used against Syria:Forces which could be used against Syria:
• Five US destroyers - USS Gravely, USS Ramage, USS Barry, USS Mahan and USS Stout - are in the eastern Mediterranean, equipped with cruise missiles. The missiles can also be fired from submarines, but the US Navy does not reveal their locations• Five US destroyers - USS Gravely, USS Ramage, USS Barry, USS Mahan and USS Stout - are in the eastern Mediterranean, equipped with cruise missiles. The missiles can also be fired from submarines, but the US Navy does not reveal their locations
• Airbases at Incirlik and Izmir in Turkey, and in Jordan, could be used to carry out strikes• Airbases at Incirlik and Izmir in Turkey, and in Jordan, could be used to carry out strikes
• Two aircraft carriers - USS Nimitz and USS Harry S Truman are in the wider region• Two aircraft carriers - USS Nimitz and USS Harry S Truman are in the wider region
• French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is currently in Toulon in the western Mediterranean• French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is currently in Toulon in the western Mediterranean
• French Rafale and Mirage aircraft can also operate from Al-Dhahra airbase in the UAE• French Rafale and Mirage aircraft can also operate from Al-Dhahra airbase in the UAE