France is "determined to take action against the use of chemical weapons by the regime of Bashar Assad, and to dissuade it from doing so again," Ayrault said after the meeting. "This act cannot go without a response."
Ayrault added that France would not act alone and that Hollande was "continuing his work of persuasion to bring together a coalition as soon as possible."
The intelligence estimate also said it didn't appear to be the first time that chemical weapons were used in Syria this year. It said French intelligence services had collected urine, blood, soil and munitions samples from two attacks in April in Saraqeb and Jobar that confirmed the use of sarin gas.
"These past events and the simultaneous and massive use of chemical agents in the night of Aug. 21, 2013 in the Damascus suburbs confirm that the Syrian regime deliberately crossed a line," it said. "Our services have information ... leading us to believe that other actions of this nature could be carried out again."
France's parliament is to debate Syria on Wednesday but no vote is scheduled. The French constitution doesn't require such a vote for Hollande to be able to authorize military action.
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Eds: Jamey Keaten in Paris contributed to this report.