Iraqi oil was largely off the market, with the exception of the corrupt Oil-for-Food Program and some smuggling. It was in Russia's interests as an oil exporter to keep it that way. It was also in French interests as the administrator & chief banker for the Oil-for-Food program.
The world couldn't go much longer with Iraqi oil reserves off the market. The recovering world economy was going to make existing supplies tight. With Saddam in power, Iraqi oil would have been converted to weaponry and nobody would have been safe. Saddam had to go.
Most Iraqi oil still off market, yet the world survives. Daily are the pipes exploding.