THE French government claimed yesterday that it could prove Syria’s military was guilty of the alleged chemical weapon attack used by Washington as a pretext for a missile strike on a Syrian air force base.

Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told France TV: “We will provide proof that the regime did indeed organise these strikes with chemical weapons.”

He said he could not yet produce the evidence as analysis of the April 4 attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun was still under way, but he added: “In a few days, I’ll be able to provide proof.”