President Francois Hollande said Tuesday that France was "ready to punish" those behind last week's alleged deadly chemical attack in Syria, adding that the conflict threatens "world peace".

"France is ready to punish those who took the vile decision to gas innocent people," he said in a televised speech, pointing the finger of blame at President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Hollande also said France would increase military support to Syria's main opposition body.

"I have decided to increase our military support to the Syrian National Coalition," he said in the speech.


AFP