Masoud Barzani, McGurk discuss Iraqi government formation in fourth meeting since May elections

(Kurdistan 24) – The President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, received on Monday a US delegation led by Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (IS).

The delegation included the newly-appointed US Consul General to Erbil Steve Fagin.

According to a statement released on Barzani’s website, the two sides discussed the latest regional developments as well as the fight against IS in western Iraq and Syria.

In the meeting, both sides highlighted the recent efforts for the formation of the new Iraqi government and the latest equations in Iraq’s political process.

Regarding the government formation, Barzani stressed that the priority for political parties in the Kurdistan Region is a commitment from Iraqi parties for real partnership in governing the country.

Barzani also expressed the importance of having clear guarantees and to identify mechanisms to implement partnership and agreements, the statement said.

The meeting between Barzani and McGurk is the fourth since the Iraqi parliamentary elections on May 12.

The KDP President received a US delegation led by McGurk in early August where Barzani reiterated the principles of partnership, consensus, and balance in the Iraqi political process.

During that meeting, the Special Presidential Envoy said his country would continue to assist Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, describing the construction of the new consulate building in Erbil as a sign of long-term US support, a statement from Barzani’s office said.