"Accusations against government troops of supposed cases of the use of poisonous chemicals continue to be fabricated," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"According to reliable evidence the Russian side possesses, such allegations do not correspond to reality."

Syria has also categorically denied new accusations by the foreign-backed Syrian opposition that Damascus has used chemical arms in its fight against extremist militants in the country.

Rejecting the allegation on Wednesday, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN Bashar al-Ja’afari reiterated that the enemies of Syria will spare no effort to overshadow preparations for the country’s upcoming presidential election, which is set for June.

Ja’afari rejected the allegation that chlorine gas has been used by government forces.

The accusation has been made by opposition groups as well as French officials without independent verification. Anti-Damascus opposition activists have recently posted videos similar to those from a chemical arms attack near the Syrian capital last August, which killed hundreds of people and nearly triggered US airstrikes against Syria, based on unproven allegations that government forces were behind the attack despite strong denials by Damascus.

A leading member of a UN inquiry commission at the time said testimony from victims of the chemical attack suggested that militants and not government forces had used the nerve agent Sarin outside Damascus in the August 2013 attack.

NJF/NJF