Britain begins far-reaching inquiry into Iraq war

Senior UK government officials and military officers have been questioned in London, on the first day of an inquiry into Britain's controversial entry into the Iraq war.

Led by a panel appointed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Iraq inquiry is envisioned to be a comprehensive look at the war.

Brown set up the inquiry to address public criticism of three key aspects of the conflict: the case made for war; the chaotic planning for the invasion; and the failure to prepare for reconstruction.

The panel began Tuesday by hearing from senior officials and military officers who advised ministers or helped shape government policies, and how those policies were communicated.

But the inquiry's chairman, Sir John Chilcot, made a point of saying the inquiry was not a trial or a judicial inquiry.

An Iraqi soldier stand guard at a check point in Baghdad, November 26,  2008.REUTERS/Ceerwan Aziz

Sir John Chilcot said, "No one's on trial here, we cannot determine guilt or innocence, only courts can do that. But I make a commitment here that once we get to our final report, we will not shy away from making criticisms either of institutions or processes or individuals where they are truly warranted."