Fuad Masum extends condolences to KRG PM following passing of brother

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Iraqi President Fuad Masum on Monday extended his condolences to Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani following the passing of his brother Dilovan Idris Barzani.

“With more sadness and sorrow we have received the news of the death of your brother, Dilovan Barzani, who died of a heart attack this morning,” Masum said in a letter sent to Prime Minister Barzani.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the members of the family and all of his friends, asking the Almighty to embrace him,” the Iraqi President added.

Dilovan died suddenly on Monday in Erbil after suffering from a heart attack at the age of 51.

He was born in 1966 in the Barzan area and was the twin brother of Prime Minister Barzani.

He held no official position but was considered a prominent social figure, taking part in events across the Kurdistan Region as a representative for the Kurdish Prime Minister.

In a statement released early Monday afternoon, former President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani expressed his condolences to Dilovan’s family, describing the loss of his nephew as “painful.”

“It is with great sadness that I received the news of the death of my nephew, Dilovan Idris Barzani this morning,” he wrote in a tweet. “I pray to His Almighty that he will rest in eternal peace.”

It is with great sadness that I received the news of the death of my nephew, Dilovan Idris Barzani this morning. I pray to His Almighty that he will rest in eternal peace

— Masoud Barzani (@masoud_barzani) April 2, 2018

In a phone call to Kurdistan Prime Minister Barzani earlier in the day, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi also expressed his condolences. 

A funeral and mourning period of three days, beginning Tuesday, will be held in the town of Pirmam in Erbil.

(Sangar Ali contributed to this report)