United States France to discuss military response in Syria after use of chemical weapons 2608131.

"The two leaders expressed their grave concern about the reported use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime against civilians near Damascus on Wednesday, August 21," the White House said in a statement.

"President Obama and President Hollande discussed possible responses by the international community and agreed to continue to consult closely," said the statement, without disclosing further details.

The call is part of the Obama administration's ongoing efforts to rally international support for a possible military response to the Syrian government amid rising political pressure both at home and abroad.

Obama on Saturday called British Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss "the shared security challenges" faced by the two close allies, including the continued violence in Syria.

They expressed their "grave concern" about the reported chemical attack by the Syrian government troops and agreed to continue to consult closely regarding this incident, as well as possible responses by the international community to Syria, according to a White House statement Saturday.

In Paris, the French President's Office issued a statement Sunday, saying the French leader told Obama that everything indicates that the Syrian government was "the perpetrator of these unacceptable attacks."

The two leaders agreed to stay in close contact so as to produce a joint response to "this unprecedented aggression," the statement added.

White House officials said the U.S. has a range of options available, ranging from a cruise missile strike to a more sustained air campaign against Syria, and will act "very deliberately" so as to make decisions consistent with the U.S. national interests and assessment on how to advance its objectives in Syria.