As stated in “The Report of the Iraq Inquiry – Executive Summary”: “285. The French President’s office issued a statement early 18 March stating that the US ultimatum was a unilateral decision going against the will of the international community who wanted to pursue Iraqi disarmament in accordance with resolution 1441. It stated:
‘… only the Security Council is authorized to legitimize the use of force. France appeals to the responsibility of all to see that international legality is respected. To disregard the legitimacy of the UN, to favor force over the law, would be to take on a heavy responsibility.’ “
– Commissioned by the Prime Minister The Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP, “The Report of the Iraq Inquiry: Executive Summary,” IraqInquiry.org.uk, March 18, 2003