The placement of Lafarge SA under judicial investigation was expected given that several of its former managers have previously been placed under investigation, the cement company said in a statement.

"We truly regret what has happened in the Syria subsidiary and after learning about it took immediate and firm actions," said LafargeHolcim chairman Beat Hess in a statement. "None of the individuals put under investigation is today with the company."

(Reporting by John Revill; editing by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi)