PARIS, September 4, (The Associated Press, Ryan Lucas) — 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.
"If you want a political solution you have to move the situation," France's foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, told France Info radio.
French lawmakers will debate Wednesday the response to alleged chemical attacks. Unlike President Barack Obama, the French president doesn't need a vote and he has a solid majority.
