Masoud Barzani, Ayad Allawi decide on three points regarding formation of Iraqi government: statement

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Masoud Barzani, President of the leading Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), received Ayad Allawi, head of the Iraqi National Accord (INA), and an accompanying delegation on Saturday to discuss regional developments.

During the meeting, Barzani and Allawi discussed the most recent developments in Iraq and the formation of Iraq’s transitional government, a statement on the KDP leader’s website read.

After the meeting, the two leaders released a joint statement regarding the formation of a new Iraqi government. In it, they both emphasized three main points.

Firstly, they underlined the need for Global Coalition forces to remain in Iraq and assist the country “in confronting the threat of terrorism, especially the recent ISIS movements.”

Furthermore, Barzani and Allawi noted the diversity in Iraq, and agreed that “no political party can unilaterally make major decisions regarding the country and its future, because that threatens the country’s unity and social ladder.”

Lastly, the two affirmed that a new government should represent all sides and all components must participate in its formation “to attain national unity [and] to respond to the demands of the peaceful protestors, and the national movement.”

Allawi’s visit comes at a time where political entities in Iraq are looking to form a transitional government following the appointment of Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi as Iraq’s prime minister-designate.

The prime minister-designate has one month to form his cabinet following his nomination in early February, at which point the national parliament would hold a vote to approve him and his picks to lead a new government. He would act as interim prime minister and plan early legislative elections, a popular demand of the protesters, among others.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany