Chirac takes a new swipe at Blair

Jacques Chirac today dealt a new blow to Tony Blair by claiming the world was not a safer place since the invasion of Iraq. The French President said the ousting of Saddam Hussein had increased the threat of terrorism from disaffected Muslims.

His comments come on the eve of a two-day state visit to London during which the Prime Minister was hoping to heal divisions over Iraq. But President Chirac made clear that major differences remained over Iraq that would not be brushed under the carpet.

In an interview for BBC's Newsnight broadcast tonight, Mr Chirac says: "There's no doubt that there has been an increase in terrorism and one of the origins of that has been the situation in Iraq."

On Monday he scorned Britain's special relationship with the United States, saying Mr Blair had little to show for his unswerving support for President Bush.