ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Monday received prominent Sunni Arab politician and leader of the Azm Alliance, Muthanna al-Samarrai, with both sides emphasizing the need to complete Iraq’s cabinet, restrict arms to state control, and address longstanding disputes between Erbil and Baghdad through dialogue.
President Barzani and Samarrai “discussed the political situation in the country, the importance of completing the formation of the government and filling the vacant ministerial positions, and ensuring that arms remain exclusively in the hands of the state,” the Kurdistan Region Presidency said in a statement.
The two officials further “stressed the need for cooperation and coordination among political parties in a way that serves the public interest and strengthens stability,” the statement added.
The Iraqi legislature in mid-May gave its vote of confidence to Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, approving his government program and 14 members of his cabinet line-up. Meanwhile, votes on nine remaining ministerial positions, including the crucial defense and interior portfolios, were deferred.
Iraq’s ruling Shiite-led Coordination Framework, which backed Zaidi to premiership, later in May announced that it will move to complete government formation after the Muslim Eid al-Adha, which was celebrated between Wednesday and Saturday.
Moreover, President Barzani and Samarrai on Monday also discussed “relations between Erbil and Baghdad,” the Presidency’s statement noted, with both sides underlining “the necessity of resolving outstanding issues through dialogue and mutual understanding in a way that safeguards the interests of all parties and preserves the country’s stability.”
Of note, the Kurdish President had in late May congratulated Zaidi on his appointment, wishing him and his cabinet “every success in carrying out their significant responsibilities,” and expressing hope that the new government would “mark the beginning of a new phase of stability and progress for all of Iraq.”
President Barzani also reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s “full readiness to work jointly with the federal government on the basis of the constitution, genuine partnership, and balance, with the aim of resolving all outstanding issues and ensuring and protecting the constitutional rights of all components.”
He added that “Iraq is a wealthy country with great potential, and Iraqis of all components deserve a dignified life, better services, and lasting security and stability,” expressing confidence that through the efforts of all parties, “We can move toward a better future and confront all challenges and problems together.”