De Villepin was originally due to have met Fischer in Berlin early Monday en route to Moscow, but the trip had to be rescheduled.

France and Germany are close allies in condemning the war on Iraq, having led spirited opposition in the United Nations that eventually thwarted a bid by the United States to push through a resolution authorising military action.

German foreign ministry spokesman Walter Lindner said the countries shared similar views over Iraq, including the need to avert a "humanitarian tragedy" now that the war is underway.

But he said it was "still too early" to talk about post-war reconstruction of Iraq -- Paris and Berlin feel that to do so would in effect legitimise the conflict.

Lindner said they were also agreed that the United Nations "must remain in the driving seat."

Germany has promised to contribute financially to Iraq's reconstruction but only under the aegis of the United Nations.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder announced Saturday that Berlin would double to 80 million euros (87 million dollars) the humanitarian aid it has pledged for Iraq.

The German government's humanitarian committee will meet Tuesday to discuss the situation and how Germany can help.

WAR.WIRE