英语文摘:French military "in position" to go to Syria: defense ministry

PARIS, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The French military is "in position" to participate in a Western-led military intervention in Syria in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons in the country, the defense ministry's spokesman said Thursday.

"French army was in position to respond the demands of the president if he would take the decision to engage French forces," Pierre Bayle was quoted as saying by the news channel BFMTV.

Citing its own sources, the weekly news magazine Le Point said France decided secretly to send French warship, the Chevalier Paul, off Syria in preparation for a military action.

The anti-aircraft frigate was scheduled to quit port of Toulon in a few hours to join an international fleet deployed in the Mediterranean.

The defense ministry declined to confirm the report and cited "normal activities" of French units.