Paris: France has called for the US to end its military presence in Iraq in 2008 atthe latest. 

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told newsprogramme I-Tele that the departure of US troops was the 'only solution' to theongoing conflict, adding that a civil war was already underway in the country.

"Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said setting atimetable for complete withdrawal, and handing "full sovereignty" toIraqis, was a prerequisite for any political solution. Only after a timetablewas set could the Iraqis move forward with national reconciliation and regionaldialogue," he said.

"The UShave failed in Iraq,"Villepin told the sources.

"If you do not say that in one year there will be nomore American or British troops in Iraq,nothing will happen in Iraqexcept more deaths and crises," he added.