"We don't have any proof," Lenoir told French cable network I-television when asked about US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's claims that Damascus had tested chemical weapons in the past 15 months.

"The situation around the world is dangerous enough, without our targetting one country or another on the question of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction," Lenoir said.

Washington has stepped up the pressure on Syria in recent days, accusing it of harboring weapons of mass destruction, sponsoring terrorist groups and providing safe haven to members of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's regime.

Top aides to US President George W. Bush have stopped short of threatening military action against Syria, but said all options remained on the table and warned Damascus to take stock of the US-led rout of Saddam's government.

Syria has denied it has any banned weapons.

On Monday, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin called for restraint and moderation following the US accusations, saying dialogue was the only way to resolve problems in the Middle East as a whole.

"Do not let us underestimate the fact that this region today -- whether at government or popular level -- is experiencing a very deep feeling of unease, frustration, sometimes even humiliation," de Villepin said at a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

"In such cases we must to talk to each other," he added.

SPACE.WIRE