Brown defends U.K. role in Iraq

Prime Minister Gordon Brown defended Britain's role in the Iraq War onFriday, telling an inquiry that deposing Saddam Hussein was the right thing to do.

"This is the gravest decision of all, to make a decision to go to war," Brown told the five-person panel. "I believe we made the right decision for the right reasons."

The public inquiry was formed to explore Britain's involvement in Iraq, and several high-profile witnesses, including former British prime minister Tony Blair, have already testified.

Brown, who served as chancellor of the exchequer from 1997 to 2007 and approved military spending, told the inquiry that going to war was a last resort after diplomatic efforts to persuadeSaddam to abide by international law failed.

Brown has faced criticism for cutting military spending after Britain entered the war, but on Friday hetold the inquiry he didn't try to limit military actions because of cost concerns.

Hearings in the inquiry began in November and have also seen MI6 intelligence agency chief John Sawers, the head of Britain's military Jock Stirrup and a host of ministers and government officials offer testimony.

Blair defended decision

Blair, whoappeared before the committee in January, defended Britains participation in the war, saying the "calculus of risk changed" after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

Hetold the inquiry thatsanctions against Saddam, including those that prevented him from getting material to create weapons of mass destruction, were eroding.

Blairsaid the risk of sticking with a strategy of trying to contain the Iraqi leader was no longer an option.

"It might have worked, it might not have worked. But it was at least as likely if not more likely, I would say that it wouldn't work."

Brown commissioned the inquiry last year to address concerns over the case made for war, and to scrutinize mistakes made over post-conflict security and reconstruction.

Initially he planned to testify after Britain's national election, which is expected to be held May 6, but under pressure from opposition lawmakers later agreed to give evidence earlier.

The panel will offer recommendations by the end of the year, but won't apportion blame or establish criminal or civil liability.