Syrian President Bashar al-Assad described the Middle East as a "powder keg" Monday, saying the region would "explode" if the United States and its allies execute a military strike on Syria. His warning came as the Obama administration pushed legislators to approve punitive military action over last month’s alleged chemical weapons attack near Damascus.

"The Middle East is a powder keg and the fire is approaching today," Assad told French newspaper Le Figaro.

"You can’t only talk about what the Syrian response will be, but what could happen after a first strike. And no one knows what would happen. Everyone will lose control of the situation when the powder keg explodes," he said.

"Chaos and extremism will be widespread," he warned. "The risk of a regional war exists."

Assad said he did not regard the people of France as enemies, but described the country’s policies as "hostile." France has indicated that it would support a U.S.-led strike on military targets in Syria.

"There will be repercussions, of course negative, on France’s interests" if that happens, Assad said.

A declassified French intelligence report released Monday pinned responsibility for last month's chemical weapons attack on the Assad government.



"The Syrian regime launched an attack on some suburbs of Damascus held by units of the opposition, combining conventional means with the massive use of chemical agents," it said.



"We believe the Syrian opposition does not have the capacity to carry out an operation of such magnitude with chemical agents."