A Syrian couple grieving for their children murdered in a chemical weapons attack on Aleppo. Photo: Screenshot.

The Syrian foreign ministry denied on Saturday US allegations it had used chemical weapons against rebel-held Eastern Ghouta enclave near Damascus, saying the accusations were “lies” without evidence.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Friday the Syrian government had repeatedly used chlorine as a weapon. A day earlier, Washington said it was prepared to consider military action if necessary to deter chemical weapons attacks by the Syrian government.