PM Barzani briefs foreign diplomats on Iraq government formation, fight against ISIS

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received numerous representatives of foreign missions in Erbil on Saturday, briefing them on several issues, including efforts to establish a new government in Baghdad and the international support for Peshmerga in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). 

Iraq held parliamentary elections on October 10 but political parties have failed to elect a president for the country and form a new cabinet due to ongoing disputes. 

Barzani told representatives of unnamed foreign countries’ consulates and offices that his cabinet seeks “the best” relations with the federal government, adding that a new government in Baghdad “must serve all people in Iraq … and bring peace and stability for Iraq,” according to a statement from the PM's office. 

The premier also briefed the diplomats on the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) efforts “to diversify the economy, increase income, decrease expenditures, re-organize taxing and facilitate foreign and local investment as well as digitalize services,” added the statement. 


Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces are a key ally of the global coalition against ISIS in Iraq. The Region has enjoyed military and financial support from members of the Coalition. 

PM Barzani called on the international community to “continue supporting and cooperating with the Kurdistan Region to confront threats of Daesh [ISIS] terrorists,” especially in areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad.

ISIS has benefited from security gaps between the Peshmerga and Iraqi army in the disputed areas. Barzani hoped that the Erbil-Baghdad coordination centers which were recently formed to secure the disputed areas will start working. 

Speaking about the US operation that resulted in the death of ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi in Idlib, northwest Syria, US President Joe Biden said on February 3 that they will continue working with the Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS. 

The consul generals of Turkey and Poland expressed their gratitude for Barzani’s briefing.