As the tenth anniversary of the launch of the Iraq War approaches -- former British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he has no regrets.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR, SAYING:

"I think if we'd backed off and we'd left him in power, you just imagine with what is happening in Syria now, if you'd left Saddam in charge of Iraq you'd have had carnage on an even worst scale than Syria and no end in sight. So you know, this was the most difficult decision I ever took and the most balanced decision, but I still, personally I still believe we were better to remove him than leave him."

A lengthy inquiry into why Britain entered the Iraq war in 2009 has yet to be published. The findings are expected to be released in a few months time.