Politics

Barzani, Pompeo discuss political developments in Iraq in phone call

In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the latest political developments in Iraq with the President of the Kurdistan Region’s leading Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani.

Sangar Ali 2019/03/05 19:25

kurdistan Kurdistan Iraq USA Washington Erbil Baghdad

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – In a telephone conversation on Tuesday, United StatesSecretary of State Mike Pompeo discussedthe latest political developments in Iraq with the President of the Kurdistan Region’s leading Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani.

Both sides exchanged views on the political situation in Iraq, according to Barzani’s press office.

In January, Pompeo visited the Kurdistan Region to meet separately with senior Kurdish officials, among them KDP President Barzani.

During his meeting with Barzani, both sides “discussed the political situation in Iraq and the region, Erbil and Baghdad relations, and the fight against terror,”a statement Barzani’s press office published said.

Pompeo highlighted the cooperation between the US and Kurdish Peshmerga forces which resulted in success in the fight against the so-called Islamic State, and underlined the Kurdistan Region’s importance for Washington, it added.

The two also spoke about developments in Syria, particularly following Washington’s announcement it would withdraw troops from the war-torn country.

While in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, US officials often visit the KDP President. Although Barzani has held no governmental posts since resigning as president of the Kurdistan Region in November 2017, he continues to play an influential role in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, in general.

In February, he received an American delegation led by Amb. James Jeffrey, US Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Presidential Envoy for the Defeat-ISIS Coalition.

The two sides spoke about the latest political developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, as well as the military progress against the Islamic State and the general situation in Syria.

Jeffrey also notably highlighted the accomplishments of the Kurdistan Region, and affirmed that it “is one of the success stories in the Middle East.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany