Kurdish, Sunni factions reveal conditions for supporting largest Shia-led parliamentary bloc

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on Sunday met with a delegation of Sunni leaders represented by the National Front Coalition to discuss the formation of the new Iraqi government.

Masoud Barzani, the KDP leader and former Kurdistan Region President, received a high-level Sunni delegation in Erbil which included Jamal al-Karbouli, Khamis Khanjar, Usama al-Nujaifi, Salim al-Jabouri, and Ahmed Abdullah.

According to a readout of the meeting released on Barzani’s website, both sides discussed and exchanged views on the political process in Iraq and formation of the new Iraqi government.

Both sides reiterated “the need to ensure guarantees and clear mechanisms that determine the commitment of all parties to the Constitution and the implementation of agreements” to prevent unilateral governing of the country and alienation of components.

The meeting addressed coordination and continued relations between both sides (Sunni and Kurds) for active participation in the political process, the statement said.

Both sides also stressed the need to implement and consider the principles that best serve the partnership between the components in the next Iraqi government.

In a statement released by the National Front Coalition, the Sunni factions noted that the new government’s plans and program are the main criteria for the Sunni Coalition and the Kurdish leadership to decide on joining and supporting the largest parliamentary bloc.

It added that Sunnis and Kurds are waiting for an agreement from the winning political blocs to announce their program and nominate their candidates.

After this, we will study the options that best serve the political process, the statement said.

“It is early to announce support or join any coalition.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany