23 August 2013
France says reaction of force needed if Syrian government used chemical weapons
The French foreign minister Laurent Fabius warned Syria over a reaction of force from the international community if the Assad regime is proven to have used chemical weapons.
Fabius was reported saying the reaction could take any form of force, but ruled out the deployment of foreign ground troops, thereby suggesting the possibility of Western air strikes. The warning comes after the UN Security Council expressed strong concerns over the alleged use of lethal toxin in the attack on the outskirts of Damascus on 21 August, but failed to reach agreement on the best response.
Source: The Guardian | France warns Syria of forceful response over chemical weapon claims
Source: Al Jazeera | France warns Syria of forceful response