"I am shocked and saddened by the death of Dr Al-Hashimi. My sympathies go out to her family and friends.

When we met in London in July I could see Dr Al-Hashimi had a passionate determination to build a better future for Iraq and its people.

Her murderers, and those who support them, only seek to undermine the Iraqi Governing Council and destroy the efforts of all those rebuilding the country. They care nothing for Iraq. But they will not win.

The work of the Governing Council, to which Dr Al-Hashimi made such a valuable and courageous contribution, will go on.

Her lasting legacy will be a stable and free Iraq."