Barzani: Current status of disputed areas outside of KRG administration unacceptable

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The status quo created by the Iraqi government in the disputed areas outside of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) administration is not acceptable, President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masoud Barzani said on Tuesday.

In a meeting with Jan Kubis, Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), the former Kurdistan Region President discussed the political developments in Iraq and results of the May 12 parliamentary elections, a statement released by Barzani’s office revealed.

Imposing a status quo on Kurdistani areas outside of the KRG’s administration and a continuation of the current situation inflicted on the regions following the Oct. 16 events is unacceptable, the statement quoted Barzani as saying.

He added that any settlement in these areas has to adhere to Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution which calls for a referendum to decide whether the people want to be governed by Baghdad or Erbil.

Barzani welcomed UN efforts to help political parties in Iraq resolve their differences, particularly those related to the constitution and issues of disputed areas outside of the KRG’s administration, the statement said.

He added that a new reality has emerged following the parliamentary elections, calling on Iraqi parties to abide by the principles of partnership, consensus, and balance when forming coalitions in the new government.

In the meeting, Kubis briefed Barzani about the international community’s views on the political process and the post-election equation in Iraq while also expressing the UN’s assessments concerning the country’s future after the polls, the statement said.  

Kubis expressed the UN’s readiness to support the Iraqi political process as well as resolve issues between Baghdad and Erbil, especially those related to Article 140.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany