London - Former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says the situation in Iraq is "dire" as a result of mistakes made by the US government.
Straw was in office during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and was a firm supporter of Prime Minister Tony Blair's decision to join the US-led operation.
"The current situation is dire," Straw said Thursday during an appearance on British Broadcasting Corp. television.
"I think many mistakes were made after the military action - there is no question about it - by the United States administration. Why? Because they failed to follow the lead of Secretary (of State Colin) Powell.
Continues Below ↓
"The (US) State Department had put in a huge amount of effort to ensure there was a proper civilian administration."
Straw added that he had previously expressed the view that the situation in Iraq was unsatisfactory. "I certainly said there were mistakes made," he said.
Straw was appointed foreign secretary in 2001, and was demoted earlier this year in a Cabinet shuffle. - Sapa-AP
|