At least 281 were killed in an alleged chemical attack launched by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on August 21, according to French intelligence document published today (2/9).

A death toll figure was added to the document by Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault during a meeting on Syrian attack with lawmakers, said a source.

However, the figure itself was significantly lower than what Washington provided. The US claimed at least 1,400 died in that attack. At the moment Washington is trying to cobble coalition to attack Syria.

Both France and the US are for military strike while the UK has rejected any military action to stop the bloodshed in Syria.

Meanwhile Assad denied the allegations, saying rebels were responsible for the attack.