Kurdistan
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani (right) in a meeting with British Ambassador to Iraq Irfan Siddiq (left) in Erbil on February 2, 2025. Photo: Kurdistan Region Presidency
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A British delegation led by the UK ambassador to Iraq met on Monday with senior Kurdistan Region leaders to discuss political developments, including the selection of Iraq’s next president and efforts to form a new federal government.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received British Ambassador to Iraq Irfan Siddiq in Erbil. According to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, the talks covered the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region, relations between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the broader political situation in Iraq, the process of electing the president of the republic, and steps toward forming the next Iraqi government.
“Both sides agreed on the importance of advancing the political process in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, and stressed the necessity of coordination and cooperation among political forces in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region to overcome problems and address challenges,” the statement said.
The meeting came a day after Iraq’s parliament postponed a long-awaited session that had been scheduled to elect the country’s fifth Kurdish president, with no new date announced. The delay follows continued disagreement between the KDP and the PUK, which have each nominated separate candidates for the post, traditionally held by a Kurd since 2005.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also met with Siddiq and his delegation, discussing similar political issues. “They emphasized resolving issues through peace and dialogue, and protecting the rights of the Kurdish people and all components in Syria,” according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
President Masoud Barzani, leader of the KDP, separately received the British delegation to discuss the formation of the next Iraqi government.
“President Barzani indicated that the position of President of Iraq is the Kurds' share and that it is necessary to prepare an appropriate mechanism for the election and determination of the presidential candidate and make it a permanent principle so that the political process in Iraq does not face problems after every election,” a statement from his office said.
He added that “this position is the share of the Shiite community, and they must resolve this matter themselves,” referring to the selection of Iraq’s next prime minister.
The British delegation also held meetings with PUK leader Bafel Talabani and Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani. Qubad Talabani said in a Facebook post that he “clarified the obstacles facing the formation of the new Kurdistan Region cabinet and emphasized that the current Kurdistan Region caretaker government cannot adequately resolve the Kurdistan Region's problems and serve citizens as needed.”
Erbil and London maintain long-standing ties. The United Kingdom has played a key role in training Kurdish Peshmerga forces during the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and remains an important contributor to the US-led coalition, with around 1,400 British personnel deployed in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in advisory and support roles.
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