World News for Students of English

04-11-2015 15:00

Tony Blair has acknowledged that the 2003 Iraq invasion played a role in the rise of the Islamic State militant group.

In an interview with CNN, the former prime minister also apologised for mistakes made in respect to the war. Mr Blair expressed regret over false intelligence suggesting the country had weapons of mass destruction, which was used as a justification for the action.

He also admitted that those who removed Saddam Hussein, do bear some responsibility for the current situation in Iraq. But he said it was hard to apologise for removing the former leader as the country may have degenerated into civil war, much like Syria.

Critics say the US decision to disband Saddam Hussein’s army after the invasion created a huge security vacuum exploited by al Qaeda, eventually replaced by Islamic State.

Mr Blair’s comments come shortly before Sir John Chilcot is set to announce a timetable for completion of an investigation into the war. The six-year public inquiry into the conflict is yet to publish its findings. Family members of soldiers killed in the Iraq war have threatened legal action if it is not released soon.

Difficult words: acknowledge (to admit), former (ex-), intelligence (information of military of political value), justification (an excuse), degenerate (to fall apart), disband (to break up), exploit (to make use of a situation in a way which considered unfair), announce (to say something officially), inquiry (an investigation).

Source: www.ondemandnews.com