President Chirac is in Britain today for talks with Tony Blair.

Ahead of the meeting, the French president renewed his criticism of the decision by America and Britain to use military force to unseat Saddam Hussein.

"Is the world any safer? I'm not sure," he told BBC2's Newsnight programme.

The summit is being held at part of the centenary of the Entente Cordiale.

Number 10 insisted that disagreements would not prevent them working together in areas of mutual interest.