Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the conservative Iranian leader, quoted a 13th-century Persian poet — translated live in rhyme — to preach a message of world unity: “All human beings are members of one frame/ Since all, at first, from the same essence came/ When time afflicts a limb with pain/ The other limbs cannot at rest remain.”

President Kagame of Rwanda said: “As we debate, posterity will not judge us kindly if we fail to seize the moment, and reverse the suffering of millions.” But privately, weary diplomats admit that most of their leaders are at this summit because everyone else is here, and it is the unguarded moments that give these gatherings their real flavour.

President Bush raised eyebrows when he was introduced to Kofi Annan by John Bolton, the controversial American UN Ambassador. “Has the place blown up since he’s been here?” Mr Bush asked the UN chief. Mr Annan, ever the diplomat, smiled politely.

The real action takes place behind the scenes. Mr Blair, for instance, had a “brush-by” yesterday with Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian Prime Minister — sherpa language for something short of a meeting.

John Howard, the Australian Prime Minister, somehow insinuated himself on to the floor of the Security Council so that he could grab a little “face time” with Mr Bush.

President Musharraf of Pakistan had a politically significant encounter with Ariel Sharon of Israel at a breakfast session. “I was standing and I was in a group and he joined me in the group,” General Musharraf told reporters. “He asked me how I was and I asked him ‘How are you?’”

As well as the “brush-by”, however, there is also the “brush-off”. Jack Straw, the Foreign Secretary, inadvertently shook the hand of President Mugabe of Zimbabwe at last year’s General Assembly. He explained that it was too dark for him to see properly.

With Mr Mugabe back in town, British officials are leaving nothing to chance. “We think there will be quite a few people working quite hard to make sure that circumstance does not occur,” one said. “I believe the lighting is quite good.”

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