Political developments in Iraq lead talks between KRG PM, US delegation in Erbil

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The latest political developments in Iraq led talks between Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and a delegation of United States officials in Erbil.

Prime Minister Barzani met with US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman, US Consul General Ken Gross, and an accompanying delegation in Erbil on Sunday, a readout published on the KRG website said.

“They discussed the latest political developments in Iraq, following the May 12 parliamentary elections,” the statement read.

The officials also addressed “the recent decisions by the Iraqi Council of Representatives, calling for [a] manual recount of the votes.”

Following Iraq’s controversial polls last month, many parties in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region complained of fraud after the announcement of election results.

In the aftermath of widespread allegations of electoral fraud and violations during the vote, the Iraqi Parliament on Wednesday passed a law mandating the manual recount of ballots across the country.

The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), tasked with ensuring a transparent and fair election, has been heavily criticized for its handling of the vote. As a result, nine judges were appointed to replace the IHEC who said they would appeal the decision.

During their meeting, the KRG Prime Minister and US delegation “hoped for the settlement of election-related issues so as not to hamper the formation of the new Iraqi government.”

Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the KRG and political parties in the Kurdistan Region are “working together toward a serious participation in the next Iraqi government.”

The two sides also addressed other topics related to the situation in the wider region, the readout said.