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— PARIS (Reuters) - French President Jacques Chirac said on Thursday France was glad Saddam Hussein's dictatorship had fallen and hoped to see the country recover its sovereignty as soon as possible with the backing of the United Nations.

A statement issued by Chirac's Elysee Palace office said:

"France, like every democracy, welcomes the fall of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, and hopes there will be a rapid and effective end to the fighting.

"What is urgent now is to ensure that humanitarian aid of all kinds can get through without delay to Iraq," the statement issued by Chirac's office said.

"After the necessary phase of ensuring security, Iraq must recover its full sovereignty in a region of stability with the legitimacy that the United Nations gives," the statement said.

Chirac led the camp of countries opposed to the launch of war without U.N. backing and has said the United Nations must play a central role in the reconstruction of Iraq.

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