PARIS (TWT): Jacques Chirac has said France and Germany are united in their opposition to war against Iraq. The French President said the two countries believe everything possible must be done to avoid military action.

"Germany and France have the same judgement on this crisis," he said.

He added: "War is proof of failure, it is always the worst solution. All must be done to avoid it."

Mr Chirac was speaking at a joint press conference in Paris with the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

The two leaders have been meeting on the 40th anniversary of their countries' bilateral friendship treaty.

Earlier, Mr Schroeder said he would not back a UN resolution authorising war against Saddam Hussein.

His statement was a blow to the United States and Britain, especially as Germany takes over the chairmanship of the UN Security Council next month.

The chairmanship is currently held by the French, who say they are "fully co-ordinated" with the Germans.

However, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said today he would back US-led military action against Iraq without the sanction of the UN if Iraq was clearly in breach of its obligations and an unreasonable block was placed on a new Security Council resolution.

France says the January 27 report to the Security Council by UN weapons inspectors in Iraq should not be used as a possible trigger for war.

"We see no justification today for a (military) intervention since the inspectors are able to do their work," said Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin.

He said he would use next week's meeting of the EU's 15 foreign ministers to call for a united stance on the situation.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, meanwhile, is flying to Washington for talks with his US counterparts.