Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, Executive Chairman IBBC said:

“The 60th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation is a mater of great joy and pride for myself, the British people and I am sure for millions of families throughout the Commonwealth – a truly remarkable organisation of 54 independent countries spanning every geographical region, religion and culture.

It has been so wonderful to have spent this special day at the British Consulate in Erbil marking the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with the Iraqi people who I have got to know so well during more than twenty years of working in the region.

I would also like to express my sincere best wishes to the outgoing British Ambassador to Iraq, Michael Aron who has not only been such a charming host to my team and I during the last few days, but who has also given the Iraq Britain Business Council such wonderful support during his year in Baghdad.

So to The Queen, to Michael and perhaps most of all the Iraqi people, I’d like to express my heartfelt best wishes on this very special day.”