This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/jul/06/russia-says-chilcot-report-proves-iraq-war-was-unjust-and-dangerous

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Russia says Chilcot report proves Iraq war was 'unjust and dangerous' Russia: Chilcot report proves Iraq war was 'unjust and dangerous'
(35 minutes later)
Russia has claimed it warned Britain of the consequences of the “unjust and highly dangerous” Iraq war, as Sir John Chilcot published his report into the 2003 invasion after a seven-year delay.Russia has claimed it warned Britain of the consequences of the “unjust and highly dangerous” Iraq war, as Sir John Chilcot published his report into the 2003 invasion after a seven-year delay.
Soon after the inquiry’s findings were released on Wednesday, the Russian embassy in London tweeted a graphic with the text “Keep Calm but I Told You So”. It also wrote: “#Chilcot inquiry: No real WMD in Baghdad, unjust & highly dangerous war. The entire region on the receiving end.”Soon after the inquiry’s findings were released on Wednesday, the Russian embassy in London tweeted a graphic with the text “Keep Calm but I Told You So”. It also wrote: “#Chilcot inquiry: No real WMD in Baghdad, unjust & highly dangerous war. The entire region on the receiving end.”
#Chilcot inquiry: No real WMD in Baghdad, unjust & highly dangerous war. The entire region on the receiving end. pic.twitter.com/UoL09xfqqQ#Chilcot inquiry: No real WMD in Baghdad, unjust & highly dangerous war. The entire region on the receiving end. pic.twitter.com/UoL09xfqqQ
The message is consistent with Russian opposition to the 2003 invasion, the Nato intervention in Libya in 2011 and Moscow’s continued backing for Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad.The message is consistent with Russian opposition to the 2003 invasion, the Nato intervention in Libya in 2011 and Moscow’s continued backing for Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad.
Franz Klintsevich, first deputy chairman of the defence and security committee in the upper house of Russia’s parliament, said the UK should apologise to the Iraqi people, pay compensation and prosecute the officials who decided on the invasion.Franz Klintsevich, first deputy chairman of the defence and security committee in the upper house of Russia’s parliament, said the UK should apologise to the Iraqi people, pay compensation and prosecute the officials who decided on the invasion.
In Iran, widely seen as the greatest beneficiary of the US-led invasion, there was no official comment and the media paid scant attention to the report. The exception was Press TV, an English-language state broadcaster, which provided live coverage of Tony Blair’s press conference.In Iran, widely seen as the greatest beneficiary of the US-led invasion, there was no official comment and the media paid scant attention to the report. The exception was Press TV, an English-language state broadcaster, which provided live coverage of Tony Blair’s press conference.
In Tehran, Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s president, pledged that his country would stand by the Iraqi government in a phone call to the prime minister, Haidar al-Abadi. He expressed his condolences for the recent terrorist attacks that have killed 250 people in Baghdad. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, also failed to mention Chilcot.In Tehran, Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s president, pledged that his country would stand by the Iraqi government in a phone call to the prime minister, Haidar al-Abadi. He expressed his condolences for the recent terrorist attacks that have killed 250 people in Baghdad. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, also failed to mention Chilcot.
Related: Chilcot report live: Blair expresses 'sorrow and apology' but mounts lengthy defence of Iraq war strategyRelated: Chilcot report live: Blair expresses 'sorrow and apology' but mounts lengthy defence of Iraq war strategy
The pan-Arab newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat was one of few Arabic media outlets to devote extensive coverage to the story, and focused on criticism of Blair.The pan-Arab newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat was one of few Arabic media outlets to devote extensive coverage to the story, and focused on criticism of Blair.
Elsewhere in the Muslim and Arab world, the far bigger stories of the day were the start of the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of Ramadan, and the aftermath of Monday’s suicide bombing attack on the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed in Medina – assumed to be the work of Islamic State. Elsewhere in the Muslim and Arab world, the far bigger stories of the day were the start of the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of Ramadan, and the aftermath of Monday’s suicide bombing attack on the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad in Medina – assumed to be the work of Islamic State.
Also making headlines was the announcement by the Syrian army of a 72 hour ceasefire to mark Eid al-Fitr. Also making headlines was the announcement by the Syrian army of a 72-hour ceasefire to mark Eid al-Fitr.
Related: Tony Blair: 'I express more sorrow, regret and apology than you can ever believe'Related: Tony Blair: 'I express more sorrow, regret and apology than you can ever believe'
Iraqi media was dominated by the mounting death toll in the Karrada bombings. Another story was about Abadi accepting the resignation of his interior minister in the wake of the carnage. Iraqi media were dominated by the mounting death toll in the Karrada bombings. Another story was about Abadi accepting the resignation of his interior minister in the wake of the carnage.
Al-Jazeera Arabic, the popular Qatar-based satellite TV broadcaster, paid little attention to Chilcot’s findings, although the story was covered extensively on Al-Jazeera English. Al-Arabiya, its Saudi-owned Arabic-language rival, played down the story. BBC Arabic followed it closely. Al-Jazeera Arabic, the popular Qatar-based satellite TV broadcaster, paid little attention to Chilcot’s findings, although the story was covered extensively on al-Jazeera English. al-Arabiya, its Saudi-owned Arabic-language rival, played down the story. BBC Arabic followed it closely.
“Iraq as a country has become a battlefield for regional and international powers, and this is one of the most critical consequences of the invasion,” Iraqi political analyst Hadi al-Isami told Al Jazeera, noting that Chilcot will do nothing to assuage the country’s plight. “Iraq as a country has become a battlefield for regional and international powers, and this is one of the most critical consequences of the invasion,” Iraqi political analyst Hadi al-Isami told al-Jazeera, saying Chilcot would do nothing to assuage the country’s plight.
In Israel, there was no official reaction to the report, but comments on social media suggested that Tony Blair “should think twice about visiting”, a possible reference to the recent summoning of former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni for questioning by British police about alleged war crimes committed during the 2008-2009 Gaza war.In Israel, there was no official reaction to the report, but comments on social media suggested that Tony Blair “should think twice about visiting”, a possible reference to the recent summoning of former Israeli foreign minister Tzipi Livni for questioning by British police about alleged war crimes committed during the 2008-2009 Gaza war.