BasNews
22/11/2018 – 23:34
Iraq
ERBIL – Kurdish prominent leader and president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, met on Thursday evening with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi, head of Islamic Dawa Party, Nouri al-Maliki, and head of the ‘Atta Coalition, Falih Fayadh, during his visit in Baghdad.
Barzani, who also served as the president of the Kurdistan Region formerly, held a number of discussions with the Iraqi leaders in hopes of resolving the remaining issues between Erbil and Baghdad.
The Kurdish influential leader also held talks with several other Iraqi officials earlier the day, including PM Adil Abdul-Mahdi and Hadi al-Amiri, head of the Fatih Alliance.
This was Barzani’s first visit since Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum last year, which was followed by a period when the relations between Iraq and Kurdistan Region started to deteriorate. However, his visit was welcomed by the US, pointing out that it will be a positive step towards resolving the disputes between the sides.
“The US and our Coalition welcome the visit to Baghdad by KDP President Masoud Barzani for important meetings with Iraqi PM Adil Abdul-Mahdi,” US special presidential envoy to the international coalition against the Islamic State (IS), Brett McGruk wrote on his official Twitter account.
“Strengthening ties and cooperation between the new Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government [is] essential for the lasting defeat of ISIS,” McGurk emphasized.
However, the Kurdish leader further called for a true partnership among all Iraqi components.