Ministry spokesman Francois Rivasseau qualified the conversation, which took place late Monday, as "pragmatic and focused on the future."

De Villepin and Powell, who speak regularly despite tensions over France's unwavering anti-war stance, discussed developments in Iraq and the Middle East, including the escalating war of words between Washington and Damascus.

The United States has accused Syria of harboring weapons of mass destruction, testing chemical weapons in the past 15 months and offering safe haven to fugitive members of Iraqi leader's Saddam Hussein's ousted regime.

Syria on Tuesday condemned the claims by US officials, charging that they were inspired by Israel, the official Syrian news agency SANA reported.

De Villepin -- who made a lightning visit to Damascus, Cairo, Beirut and Riyadh at the weekend -- told Powell that the war in Iraq had sparked a "feeling of worry and humiliation" in the Arab world, Rivasseau told reporters.

On Monday, the French minister called for restraint and moderation following the US accusations against Syria, saying dialogue was the only way to resolve problems in the region as a whole.

SPACE.WIRE