US Amb. to Iraq meets with top Kurdistan officials about political crisis, security

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – US Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller met on Wednesday with senior Kurdistan Region leaders to discuss the latest security and political developments in Iraq and Syria.

Ambassador Tueller was first received by Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani at party headquarters in Pirmam, outside Erbil. Both sides participated in an in-depth exchange regarding the future of the Kurds in Syria, with ambassador Tueller praising Barzani’s role in bringing the Kurdish political factions in Syria closer together, according to a KDP statement.

They also discussed the current political situation in Iraq, a nation now in its fifth month of nationwide anti-government protests that have led to the resignation of the prime minister and to the announcement of a replacement. 

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Both sides also stressed the importance of meeting the demands of the protesters, and how it is a necessary part of bringing stability to Iraq, furthermore.

Tueller also met with KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, also to discuss political and security developments in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and Syria.

Both highlighted the "significance of stability in Iraq," and "stressed the need to establish" an Iraqi government "capable of implementing meaningful reform in accordance with the people’s demands, represent the different ethnicities and religious minorities in Iraq, and establish good ties with the Kurdistan Region and balanced relations with neighboring countries and the international community."         

Barzani also said that support by the US-led anti-Islamic State coalition to Iraq and Kurdistan Region continues to be critical to the ongoing fight against the Islamic State. 

Earlier, the regional prime minister warned in a media interview published the previous day that the extremist organization is regrouping and urged the international community to take action to prevent it from making a substantial comeback. 

Read More: Kurdistan Region PM warns about ‘great possibility’ of ISIS return 

Answering a question on the subject of a US troop withdrawal from Iraq, Barzani pointed out that the United States and other international coalition troops are in Iraq based on an official invitation from the federal government.

Editing by John J. Catherine