Blair Justifies Iraq Invasion In Final Defense Of War

British Prime Minister Tony Blair (file photo) (epa) June 18, 2007 -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair today strongly defended the Iraq invasion before the parliament's top oversight body, justifying his record in office a week before he steps down.

Speaking before the House of Commons liaison committee, comprising all the chiefs of the lower chamber's oversight bodies, Blair insisted that ordinary Muslims crave democracy, and that Islamist terrorists, rather than the West, are the Muslims' worst enemy.

However, Blair, who steps down on June 27, admitted that he felt a heavy responsibility for the death toll in Iraq.

During a visit to Iraq last month, Blair said that "Britain will remain steadfast in its support for Iraq." He also said that he expects his likely successor, Gordon Brown, to continue Britain's policies in the country.

(AFP)