The conversation, which came at Chirac's initiative, lasted for 20 minutes, with Chirac's spokesman Catherine Colonna saying it had been "positive".

The French president told Bush of "France's willingness to act in a pragmatic way" on issues relating to the post-war reconstruction of Iraq, Colonna added.

Chirac listed disarmament, the issue of sanctions, the shape of an interim government for Iraq and the country's oil resources as the key issues on the table.

Colonna said Bush thanked Chirac for the conversation and for his input.

In the build-up to the US-led war in Iraq, Chirac steadfastly opposed the use of military force against Baghdad, sparking the ire of US officials and a wave of anti-French sentiment in the United States.

"Much remains to be done, in fact, following the fall of (Iraqi President) Saddam Hussein in order to give back to the Iraqi people their sovereignty and their dignity," Chirac's spokeswoman told reporters.

"France believes that the international community should take no chances and therefore give way to the United Nations as soon as possible. It's in everyone's best interest," she added.

With respect to US threats to Syria, Colonna quoted Chirac as telling Bush he hoped that nothing would raise tensions in the region.

SPACE.WIRE