Iraq war opened a Pandora's box: Chirac

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero (C) stands next to German Chancelor Guerhard Schroeder (L) and French President Jacques Chirac as they pose for photographers at Moncloa Palace in Madrid Monday. The leaders of France, Germany and Spain held summit talks on cementing EU unity and fighting terrorism. PHOTO: AFP

"I think that one way or another we have opened a Pandora's box in Iraq that are unable to close," he said after a Madrid summit with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

"The situation (in Iraq) is very serious and is not getting better," he said at a press conference, flanked by his fellow leaders.

"None of us intend to change position," said Chirac, who along with Schroeder was a staunch opponent of the war.

Zapatero's rightwing predecessor Jose Maria Aznar threw in his lot firmly with Washington by backing the US-led intervention in Iraq.

Bu| Zapatero withdrew Spanish troops from Iraq within weeks of his March election victory, fulfilling a key campaign pledge.