Macron calls for stepped-up talks with Russia over Syria

PARIS, April 13 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday he was for a regular and stepped-up dialogue with Russia to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria and prepare for a political transition in the troubled country, the Elysee said in a statement.

Macron told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a phone conversation that "the conversation between France and Russia (should) continue and be reinforced to bring peace and stability back to Syria."

Speaking to TF1 TV channel on Thursday, Macron unveiled that Paris had "proof that chemical weapons were used last week, at least chlorine, and that they were used" by the government of Bashar al-Assad.

Meanwhile, he said he could only decide whether or not to strike Syrian government's chemical arms capabilities "in due course" once all the information on the suspected toxic gas was verified.

According to media reports, activists, local rescuers and rebels in Syria allegedly claimed that Syrian forces used chlorine gas in the attack on April 7 against Douma in the rebel-held area near Damascus. The Syrian government has denied the allegations and called the reports fake news that the West uses to justify attacking the country. Enditem