France, Britain give priority to diplomatic solution of crisis

France and Britain agreed today on the need to find a diplomatic solution to the current crisis between Iraq and the US and urged Iraq to implement UN resolutions.

The spokeswoman for the French president, Cathereine Kolona, said the French President had a lengthy telephone coversation with British Prime Minister Tony Blair concerning the current crisis between Iraq and the US.

President Chirac said, "We have to exert our utmost efforts to find out a diplomatic solution for the current crisis, that honors the UN Security Council resolutions."

The spokeswoman said Blair also expressed keenness to find a diplomatic solution for the crisis, adding that the two countries will continue intensive contacts.