President Macron has told Vladimir Putin he wants to 'intensify' Syria peace talks

Emmanuel Macron has told Vladimir Putin he wants to 'intensify' talks on bringing peace to Syria.

The French President gave his Russian counterpart the message during a telephone call on Friday amid diplomatic uproar following the chemical attack in the country.

It comes as momentum for revenge air strikes on Syria, which Macron has backed, appears to be slowing. President Trump is yet to make a final decision on what action to take.

Forty-three people were killed and inhabitants were left gasping for air after a toxic gas was released into the rebel-held Damascus suburb of Douma on March 7.

Macron has said he will respond to 'proof' that Assad's regime had used chemical weapons 'at a time of our choosing.'

He made the use of chemical weapons a 'red line' not to be crossed.

Now the French leader has reached out to Moscow, which has denied Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime carried out the horrifying attack.

'The president of the Republic said he wanted the dialogue between France and Russia to continue and intensify in order to bring peace and stability to Syria,' Macron's office said after the call.

Russia claimed its military experts found no evidence of poisonous substances at the site and accused it of being staged by the White Helmets civil defence organisation.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (left) warned on Thursday that threats of Western military action in response to an alleged chemical attack would only lead to further chaos in the region. Vladimir Putin (right) claimed Assad was not responsible for the attack

Macron bemoaned Russia's use this week of its veto to block a UN Security Council resolution on setting up an investigation into the attack to name those responsible.

The veto had prevented a 'united' front on putting in place a mechanism 'to prevent the regime being a repeat offender,' Macron said.

He told Putin his priority in Syria was the 'fight against terrorism', easing the suffering of civilians and 'kickstarting negotiations on a credible and inclusive political process as soon as possible'.

Macron said on Thursday he had 'proof' that Assad's regime had used chemical weapons and that the US and France would response 'in due course'.

But he also appeared anxious to avoid a wider conflict, saying France would 'in no way allow an escalation'.

The White House is yet to release its 'final decision' on next steps regarding Syria, but Donald Trump has said Americans won't have to wait long for a response.

Trump dramatically escalated the rhetoric over the crisis by telling Russia to 'get ready' for military action, adding that 'nice and new and smart' cruise missiles 'will be coming.'

He warned Putin not to partner with Assad, who he described as a 'gas killing animal.'

Theresa May's Cabinet has agreed to 'take action' to 'deter the further use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime'.

Britain will also act to alleviate 'humanitarian' suffering in Syria, a Downing Street spokesman said - but the precise action or timescale was not specified.

The Prime Minister and Trump have spoken and agree to work 'closely together' on a response to the atrocity.