Speaking after US President George W. Bush called for an end to the UN-administered "oil-for-food" program, Chirac reiterated that the United Nations must play a central role in post-war Iraq.

"The lifting of sanctions is an aim which we have supported for a long time. Now it is naturally for the UN to define the modalities for lifting the sanctions," he said.

"France wants the UN to play a central role, both in the next steps over Iraq and in the context of stability which must be re-established in the region," he added.

Bush called on Wednesday for the United Nations to lift sanctions on Iraq now that Saddam Hussein regime has "passed into history".

He said Washington would "in the near future" offer a UN resolution ending the UN-administered "oil-for-food" program to enable Iraq to sell oil freely on world markets.

The French leader was speaking after talks in Athens with UN chief Kofi Annan, who was invited to an EU summit designed to sign an historic accession treaty but clouded by Iraq.

Chirac, who was fiercely opposed to the war in Iraq, also reiterated his desire to proceed "pragmatically" now the war is all but over.

"Faithful to its principles, France will naturally broach these questions in a pragmatic manner, case by case," he said, adding that he had discussed the issues with Annan.

"I indicated that France would support his action in every possible way," he added.

Asked how France expected to work with the US and British forces in Iraq, Chirac replied "in the way which will be defined by the UN."

Annan meanwhile said that the United Nations must be given adequate resources to fulfill a role in Iraq.

"Any role entrusted to the United Nations, beyond the purely humanitarian, (must be) consistent with the (UN) Charter, and matched by the necessary resources," he said.

"The Iraqi people ... have suffered terribly, and they deserve a better future. Their most immediate needs now are for public order and safety, and for humanitarian relief," he added.

SPACE.WIRE