DHAKA: The French government says punitive action against Syria in response to its alleged use of chemical weapons would ‘balance’ a situation that has seen gains for Syrian president Bashar Assad.

Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, the French government spokeswoman, said Wednesday that the international community has an obligation after the August 21 attack that the US says killed 1,429 people.

France, like the US, blames Assad.

She told BFM-TV that military action could ‘re-balance’ Syria’s civil war, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1429 HRS, SEPT 04, 2013
RoR/BSK