Shafaq News- Erbil

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani called on Monday for the establishment of an appropriate mechanism to determine the presidential candidate in a manner that reflects the will of the Kurdish people.

According to a statement from Barzani’s headquarters, the remarks were made during his meeting with US envoy Tom Barrack, in Erbil, in the presence of Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

Barzani stressed that the Coordination Framework, a coalition of predominantly Shiite political forces, would determine the candidate for premiership, underlining the need to prioritize Iraq’s national interests. “The next prime minister should be committed to the constitution, principles of partnership, balance, and compromise,” the statement added.

He reiterated the need for the next Iraqi government to commit to implementing the constitution and the principles of federalism, as well as to enact laws related to unresolved and critical issues for the future of Iraq’s people, including the oil and gas law, Article 140 of the constitution concerning disputed territories, and legislation linked to implementing federal principles within the Iraqi state.

Regarding regional relationships, Barzani added that Iraq should maintain shared interests with all its neighbors, while taking into account the partnership with the United States.

Barrack emphasized that the United States supports Iraq’s sovereignty, underscoring the importance of strong relations and partnership with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. “He commended Brazani’s role in preventing the escalation of war and violence, as well as his efforts to contain recent developments in Syria,” the statement added.   

Earlier in the day, the US envoy met in Baghdad with caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. He presented Washington’s perspective on Iraqi government formation, expressing the US appreciation for the Iraqi government’s step to transfer members of ISIS from detention facilities abroad to prisons inside Iraq. The move, he noted, reflects efforts to reinforce Iraq’s sovereignty and assume its legal responsibilities.