Blair, Chirac agree on supporting peace in the Middle East

The British prime minister Tony Blair and the French President Jack Chirac admitted continued bilateral differences between their countries over Iraq, but they expressed satisfaction over what observers described as an attempt to close the file of this difference.

In a joint press conference with the French President in London, Blair announced the two countries agreement to exert all efforts to achieve stability and democracy in Iraq. Blair said "the differences during the conflict are well known, but the two of us are working together now according to UN Security Council resolution 1546." Chirac considered that the differences which were standing between the two countries over Iraq should be solved through solidarity rather than disagreement.

He added he does not change his position concerning the war on Iraq and that he considers that the situation in the world has not improved at the security and the spread of what he called terrorism after the war on Iraq and toppling the government of President Saddam Hussein.

With the exception of Iraq issue, Blair and Chirac stressed that they have the same political vision concerning the peace process in the Middle East and the war on what is called terrorism as well as the crisis in Afghanistan, Kyoto agreement and the issue of forming a European deterrent force.

Blair announced that London and Paris are preparing to make utmost efforts to revive the peace process in the Middle East. He indicated the importance of carrying out the Palestinian elections in order to select a leadership after the demise of the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.