New Iraq Parliament Speaker discusses political developments with Kurdish officials

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The newly-elected Iraqi Parliament Speaker, Mohammed al-Halbousi, arrived in the Kurdistan Region capital on Saturday to meet with senior Kurdish officials.

Masoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), received Halbousi at his office in the town of Pirmam near Erbil to discuss the political situation in Iraq and the recent developments in the country as well as the new equations in the political process, a statement on Barzani’s website read.

The meeting highlighted the efforts of the political parties for the formation of the new Iraqi government, it added.

The Kurdish leader and Halbousi agreed on the need to commit to the constitutional timeline in the political process and reiterated the importance of the principles of partnership, consensus, and balance between the Iraqi components.

Halbousi also met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani. Both sides expressed their desire that Erbil and Baghdad resolve their differences through the new parliament and government according to the constitution.

According to a statement on the KRG’s website, the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister and Halbousi reiterated the importance of a successful political process which respects the three main principles (partnership, consensus, balance) between political parties in Iraq.

Both officials expressed their desire that the new stage brings stability, safety, security, and development to the country in all aspects.

PM Barzani hoped the new parliament serves Iraq and all of its components, plays a role in resolving issues, and contributes to the country’s development, the statement read.

The Iraqi Parliament Speaker also met with the Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC), Masrour Barzani, to discuss Iraq’s political process.

The KRSC Chancellor said in a tweet that he had a productive meeting with Halbousi where they “discussed, among other things, ongoing negotiations to elect a President and form a representative government.”

Saturday’s visit is Halbousi’s first to the Kurdistan Region since his appointment as speaker of Iraq’s Parliament on Sept. 16.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany