LONDON — He was right and he would do it again.
That was Tony Blair’s message Friday as he fought for his place in history against critics who contend it was folly to join the Americans in invading Iraq based on intelligence that was faulty and weapons of mass destruction that turned out not to exist.
The highly anticipated testimony before an official inquiry into Britain’s role in the Iraq conflict provided both a reprise and a coda to the Blair years: The former prime minister showed his impressive rhetorical skills and high-minded principles, but left unanswered whether the war that defines his mixed legacy was justified.
Many in the audience, including the relatives of soldiers and civilians killed in the war, were not impressed. Blair’s claim to have no regrets drew an angry outburst. As he left, one man stood up and shouted, “You are a liar!” A second added, “And a murderer.”
The six-hour session Friday capped a wide-ranging inquiry that since November has heard extensive evidence from government lawyers and ministers who raised doubts about the legality and wisdom of the 2003 Iraq invasion, which was extremely unpopular in Britain.
The Iraq Inquiry panel plans to issue a report next year, but does not have a mandate to apportion blame or the power to bring any criminal charges.
Although Blair showed signs of nerves during Friday’s testimony, he was unrepentant as he defended the decision to topple Saddam Hussein and warned that today’s leaders face similar tough choices as they confront Iran over its nuclear program.
“The decision I took — and frankly would take again — was, if there was any possibility that he could develop weapons of mass destruction, we would stop him,” Blair said. “It was my view then and that is my view now.”
Blair said the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States changed everything, showing that religious fanatics were determined to inflict mass casualties. That made it too dangerous to leave Hussein in power, he said, because Hussein’s Iraq — and other rogue states, such as North Korea or Iran — could form links to terrorism groups and attack the West.
Blair conceded there were no known ties between Hussein and the al-Qaeda architects of the 9/11 atrocities but said he feared such links could have developed if Saddam and his sons remained in power.
