MADRID, May 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said Sunday that the intervention in Iraq was a "failure."

    The international community should learn the Iraq "lesson" and "never again" stage a preemptive war or illegal action, Zapatero said at a celebration of the 125th anniversary of the ruling Socialist Party.

    The prime minister also said that his cabinet will use all the strength of democracy and the rule of law to fight with "firmness"against all types of terrorism.

    There were about 20,000 people gathered in Madrid's Vistalegre Palace to attend the celebration, which began with a minute of silence for the victims of the March 11 bomb attacks. Enditem