France on Friday (May 18th) froze the assets for six months of companies based in Syria, Lebanon and China linked to an alleged chemical weapons programme in Syria, AFP reported.

They include Damascus-based Sigmatec and Al Mahrous Group, Technolab in Lebanon, and a trading company in Guangzhou, China, according to a list in the government's official gazette.

The assets of two individuals in Syria and one in Lebanon will also be frozen.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the individuals and companies were working for the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre (CERS).

"CERS is the main Syrian laboratory in charge of developing and producing unconventional chemical weapons and ballistic launchers," the ministers said.

Some 30 countries meet in Paris on Friday to put in place mechanisms to better identify and punish those responsible for using nerve agents in attacks.

"After disappearing for nearly 20 years, the return of chemical weapons in the hands of both state and non-state actors in Iraq, Syria, Asia or Europe demands the resolute mobilisation of the international community," the ministers said.