French opposition to war highlights EU split

A EUROPEAN Union summit on trying to end a deep split over Iraq ran into trouble yesterday as France insisted it would try to block any imminent US attack on Baghdad.

With the split undermining EU unity and its ability to speak with a single voice, Britain and France offered starkly different views, with London calling for a swift deadline for action and Paris insisting on more time to peacefully disarm Iraq.

President Jacques Chirac said France would oppose any effort to draft a new UN resolution authorising war at this time. France, Germany and others say Iraq can be disarmed peacefully and must be given time.