Russia says US and Britain should pay war costs

A senior Russian diplomat says the US and Britain must address the humanitarian consequences of the war in Iraq.

Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov also said the UN Security Council should look into the legality of the Iraq crisis.

Russia sided with France and Germany in opposing the US-led war.

"Russia proceeds from the fact that the countries which undertook military force against Iraq, ignoring the Security Council and in violation of the norms of international law should take care of liquidating the inevitable severe humanitarian consequences of their actions," Mr Fedotov said.