France remains prepared for Syria strikes if diplomatic solution fails

France said Wednesday it would remain poised to launch military action against Syria over its use of chemical weapons despite ongoing attempts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

The warning came after a meeting between President Francois Hollande, his foreign and defence ministers and senior military figures.

“France will remain, in permanent contact with its partners, mobilised to punish the use of chemical weapons by the 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.