"We expect that the allies, who are responsible for security, will extend security to international diplomatic missions," he said in Berlin after talks with his Japanese counterpart Yoriko Kawaguchi.

"We recognise the difficulties and the unique situation."

The embassy in Karada Street and the cultural centre in Abu Nawwas Street, both in central Baghdad, were entered by dozens of people who set about seizing everything they could find.

The looters, including whole families, poured into the central courtyard of the embassy in cars and even on horseback, taking furniture, refrigerators, video machines and even the strip lighting.

Similar scenes took place at the cultural centre, though the French embassy was inaccessible, sealed off by barricades.

France and Germany were leading lights in the efforts to prevent the war on Iraq which resulted in the downfall of Saddam Hussein's regime.

SPACE.WIRE