France says will stay poised for military action

“France will remain,in permanent contact with its partners,mobilised to punish the use of chemical weapons bythe Syrian regime and to deter them from using them again,” a statement from Hollande’s office read.

Hollande said France was nevertheless determined to give negotiations aimed at placing Syria’s chemical weapons under international control a chance to succeed.

“The President of the Republic underlined France’s determination to explore every avenue at the UN SecurityCouncil to allow,as quickly as possible,effective and verifiable control of the chemical weapons present in Syria,”the statement said.