The half-hour discussion "was very friendly and found many points of agreement" between the two leaders, said Chirac's spokeswoman Catherine Colonna.

Chirac, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder of Germany finished earlier Saturday a two-day summit in Saint Petersburg where they agreed that the UN should play a central role in the reconstruction of Iraq.

The United States has said the UN will have a "vital role" to play in postwar Iraq, but Washington has already determined that a retired US general, Jay Garner, will run Iraq's interim administration.

While Britain has been Washington's staunchest supporter, Blair has shared European concerns on the need for the UN to play a key role in Iraq's reconstruction, although he reportedly turned down an invitation to attend the meeting of the three countries most opposed to the US-led war on Baghdad.

In the discussion Chirac empahisized the priorty is now ensuring security so that humanitarian aid can be delivered and essential public services restored, and afterwards reconstruction, said his spokeswoman.

While security is the responsibility of US and British troops, "the political, administrative, economic and social reconstruction can only be led by the United Nations which has the necessary legitimacy and experience," Chirac was quoted as saying by Colonna.

SPACE.WIRE