UK begins Iraq War probe; Blair to testify

LONDON: The head of a British inquiry into the Iraq War said yesterday he will call former Prime Minister Tony Blair to testify about the run-up to the conflict, but acknowledged it is unlikely that senior Bush administration officials would give evidence.

John Chilcot, a former senior civil servant, said the relationship between Britain and the United States would form a key part of his panel's attempts to consider errors made by Britain, the US and other allies before, during and in the aftermath of the 2003 Iraq invasion.

Chilcot said that he hoped to take evidence from the "key decision makers," but conceded that it is unlikely top officials from former US President George W. Bush's government would join Blair in giving evidence to the independent panel.