"We were right to take the decision to join the coalition," he told a press conference.

"The coalition was right and not those who stayed out and were even critical," he said, without naming countries.

Russia, France and Germany led the European nations against military intervention in Iraq.

Polish support for the US position drew criticism from EU members, especially France.

"Poland has proved that it is a loyal, reliable and steady ally," the president stressed.

Poland, a NATO member since 1999, provided 200 service personnel including 54 of elite special forces unit GROM, and a 74-strong anti-chemical warfare team equipped with special mobile laboratories.

Comparing Saddam's overthrow with the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the regime of Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu, Kwasniewski said:

"We have lived through past events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and the events in Bucharest (when Ceausescu fell) and we know there is no regime capable of restraining the human will to freedom."

Commenting on television shots of American troops acclaimed in Baghdad, he said: "The images from Baghdad awaken hope."

"On the one hand we saw allied forces reaching their objectives efficiently, professionally and without unnecessary victims.

"On the other we saw the Iraqis about to experience the great change in their lives: They are no longer afraid."

SPACE.WIRE