DHAKA: France has dispatched an anti-air warfare frigate to the eastern Mediterranean Sea amid growing speculation of an imminent missile strike on Syria.

French news magazine ‘Le Point’ reported on Thursday, says france24.com.

According to an unnamed French military source quoted by the magazine, the Chevalier Paul (pictured) is en route to join a growing flotilla of warships including US navy destroyers and British and American submarines, which are armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Contacted by Le Point, the French ministry of defence refused to confirm that the Chevalier Paul was headed to the eastern Mediterranean, saying the frigate was on ‘routine manoeuvres’.

The vessel is one of France’s most up-to-date destroyers of the Horizon-class, which ‘Le Point’ says will be ‘extremely useful’ if Syria decides to launch its air attacks against the international flotilla.

Nuclear-powered French aircraft carrier the Charles de Gaulle remains in dock at the southern French naval port Toulon, according to news agencies.

BDST: 1747 HRS, AUG 29, 2013
RoR/RIS