"I would describe her as a secular Mother Theresa."
Niall Andrews, former Irish MEP
"It is a cruel irony that Margaret's captors did not show to her the same humanity and kindness that she demonstrated every day to those around her."
Mary McAleese, Ireland's president
"The killers made a very big mistake. This was the wrong person."
Qayder al-Chalabi, head of a spinal cord clinic in Baghdad that Margaret Hassan regularly supported
"Tony Blair made this incredibly unhelpful statement - just like he did over Ken Bigley - that was the kiss of death."
Felicity Arbuthnot, Irish freelance journalist
"The Prime Minister sends his sympathy to the family of Margaret Hassan and shares their abhorrence at the cruel treatment of someone who devoted so many years of her life to helping the people of Iraq."
A spokesman for Tony Blair
"Those who are guilty of this atrocious act, and those who support them, have no excuses. Nobody can justify this. Margaret was against sanctions and the war."
Statement by the brother and sisters of Margaret Hassan
"She is a martyr for goodness, truth and generosity."
Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor to Margaret Hassan's family.
