Poland was misled by the United States over the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, President Aleksander Kwasniewski said today.

In another sign of the cracks appearing in the US-led coalition, Mr Kwasniewski said of the Bush Administration: "That they deceived us about the weapons of mass destruction, that's true.

"We were taken for a ride."

Mr Kwasniewski's remarks mark the first time Poland has publicly criticised Washington's argument for invading Iraq, which helped win the support of Poland, Spain and Britain.

The remarks came a day after Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Spain's Prime Minister-elect, confirmed that he intended to withdraw Spain's contingent of 1,300 troops by June 30, unless the United Nations took over administration of Iraq.

The Spanish troops are serving under Polish command in south-central Iraq.

Mr Kwasniewski said earlier that Poland might begin withdrawing its own troops early next year, months earlier than previously envisaged, if the "stabilisation mission is crowned with success".

But he added that it made no sense to withdraw the coalition's troops from Iraq now.

Speaking to a group of French journalists, the Polish President said: "What would be the point of pulling the troops if it meant a return to war, ethnic cleansing and conflict in neighbouring countries.

"If we protest against the United States' dominant role in world politics and we withdraw our troops knowing they will be replaced by US soldiers, what would be the point of such a move?"

He added that he was disappointed by Señor Zapatero's threat to withdraw Spain's contingent in Iraq, saying: "We cannot alter our mission to stabilise Iraq to one to destabilise the country.

"Passiveness will lead us nowhere."

Mr Kwasniewski also insisted that Poland was staying the course in Iraq and would not bow to terror. "We are facing the same threat as Spain," he said, but he stressed that "terrorism must be combated, also with force".

Poland commands a 9,500-strong multinational force in south-central Iraq.