The conferenceroom of the Mansour Melia hotel in Baghdad was decked in banners denouncing US aggression and demanding an end to the international sanctions. By mid-morning, as the room began to fill, scores of foreign guests jostled politely with Iraqi officials and a few diplomats for seats close to where Tariq Aziz, deputy prime minister, was expected to be seated.

Roberto Formigoni did not feel the need to rush. According to one person, he continued talking by the entrance and when Mr Aziz appeared, he was the first foreigner to greet him. Mr Aziz took him by the arm and escorted him to a seat in front of the podium.