Bush wishes Chirac well after presidency

BOGOTA (Reuters) - President Bush, who tangled with French President Jacques Chirac over Iraq, wished him well on Sunday after Chirac announced he would not seek re-election.

Bush saw Chirac as a major impediment to his failed attempt to get U.N. Security Council backing for war against Iraq in 2003.

The two leaders, however, have been working together with Britain and Germany trying to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran denies.

"President Bush wishes President Chirac all the best as he enters life after politics. The United States and France have been and will remain steadfast partners and allies," said Gordon Johndroe, spokesman for the White House National Security Council.

Johndroe spoke as Bush was visiting Colombia as part of a Latin America tour.