WASHINGTON(Reuters) - France's refusal to back a possible U.S.-led attack on Iraq triggered a verbal food fight on Tuesday in the restaurants of the US House of Representatives as "French fries" and "French toast" were replaced on menus by "freedom fries" and "freedom toast."

　　"This action today is a small but symbolic effort to show the strong displeasure of many on Capitol Hill with the actions of our so-called ally, France," said House Administration Committee chairman Bob Ney, an Ohio Republican, himself of French descent. Ney's panel is in charge of the House's administrative needs. He took the action at the suggestion of Rep.Walter Jones, a North Carolina Republican.

　　"I am grateful to Mr Ney for standing with me today as we publicly declare our sup-port for our nation's troops and our sincere disappointment in our old friends, the French," Jones said.