"We will continue sharing technical and strategic information with our partners, particularly with the United Kingdom and the United States. And in the coming days, we will announce our decision," Macron told journalists following the meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Paris.
According to French President Emmanuel Macron, any French strikes on the Syrian government would target alleged chemical facilities.
"Our decision will not target allies of the regime or attack anyone but rather attack the regime's chemical capabilities," he said, insisting he did "not want an escalation".
France does not want any military escalation in Syria and the Middle East region and also advocates strict observance by all parties of international law, first of all, norms in the field of humanitarian law, Macron said.
France, Saudi Agree to Curb Iranian 'Expansionism'
At a press conference with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, an arch-rival of Iran, French President Emmanuel Macron admitted to differences with Riyadh on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, but said the two agreed on the need to "limit Iran's ballistic activity and regional expansionism."
The Saudi crown prince said that the Saudi-led coalition is doing everything to avoid civilian casualties in Yemen, but mistakes in conflicts are inevitable.
Berlin Accuses Russia of Unconstructive Behavior
Media reports about the alleged deadly chemical attack in Douma emerged on Saturday. The United States and the European Union accused Syrian President Bashar Assad of staging the attack, however, the Syrian authorities denied the allegations.
"The fact that such gas attacks continue, such incidents repeat, and no one is held accountable for such heinous crimes, is inadmissible … Up until now, [Russia] has not been allowing for the possibility to hold a check on the international level and identify the perpetrators … We believe this is unconstructive and unsatisfactory, this cannot continue," Maas said.
Speaking about the US threats of providing a military response to the Syrian authorities over their alleged involvement in the purported chemical attack in Douma, Maas noted that all avenues should be used, specifically reiterating the Western countries’ expectations to Russia in relation to its actions.
READ MORE: Trump, May, Macron Agree Not to Allow Chemical Weapons Use in Syria
The White House said on April, 9, that President Donald Trump was considering all options in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack in Douma.
The Russian Center for Syrian reconciliation, operating in the Middle Eastern country, refuted the reports about chemical weapons use in the area of Eastern Ghouta, where Douma is located, saying that no traces of chemical agents were found there.
Moreover, the center said that doctors from Douma had denied media reports about receiving patients with symptoms of exposure to toxic substances.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday, that Moscow and Damascus had repeatedly warned about possible provocations involving the use of hazardous substances against civilians aimed at accusing the Syrian authorities of being responsible for such attacks.
The media reports about the chemical attack in Douma emerged amid the withdrawal of the Jaysh al-Islam militant group from the city under the agreement with the Syrian authorities.
