Sunday's Downing Street summit has been criticised by EU diplomats and some of Europe's smaller nations and EU for undermining unity in the fight against terrorism.

Diplomatic sources have accused Tony Blair of trying to set the agenda and flaunting its military role in Afghanistan. "When you have Blair ticking off who is worthy to been the military club and who is not, it does little to foster solidarity," the FT quotes a senior diplomatic source as saying.

The guest list for the Sunday meeting expanded near slapstick fashion, having originally been intended to include just Britain, France and Germany.

The Italians made a sustained effort to get themselves invited, and with their attendance Spain was also invited to avoid snubbing an ally of Tony Blair, Jose Maria Aznar.

The Germans tipped of the Belgians who told Britain they resented the way smaller countries were being snubbed. They consulted other EU countries on whether to attend, while EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana was then invited by British intermediaries.

Dutch PM Wim Kok then called Blair to say it would be a "good idea" if he were invited too.

French president Jacques Chirac is today heading to Washington to say that while France will continue to back the military campaign, the search for a political framework for the country's future must move up the agenda.