Kurdistan parliament in session to address Region’s presidency, hear statement from Barzani

11:59 pm

KRG calls on security forces to prevent violence

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has called on the Asayesh security forces to prevent violence, amid reports of attacks and raids on political offices. 

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11:55 pm

PUK offices torched in Zakho

Offices of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have been burned in Zakho, Duhok province by unknown persons. 

Duhok is a stronghold of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). The KDP has condemned the incident.

There are reports that Gorran offices have also been attacked in Zakho.

Violence has also taken place in Erbil, outside the parliament as emotions run high with the resignation of President Masoud Barzani.

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11:17 pm

MP accused of insulting Peshmerga, Barzani: It’s a misunderstanding

The MP at the centre of a storm, accused of insulting the Peshmerga and President Masoud Barzani, has said the whole incident was a misunderstanding. 

MP Rabun Maroof, a former Gorran party member, was speaking to media outside the parliament about the Peshmerga, criticizing events in Kirkuk. “Kirkuk was a symbol of failure,” he said. The forces are heroic, but the commanders “they always flee.”

A group of men interrupted him and accused him of insulting the Kurdish forces and the president. He was pushed back from the microphones and into the parliament building. 

An angry crowd then gathered outside the parliament, telling Rudaw they were there to demand an apology from Maroof. Some could be seen carrying sticks.

Speaking to Rudaw inside the parliament, Maroof said it was a slip of the tongue. When he was being pushed, he had called Barzani a “donkey.”

Calling someone a donkey is insulting in Kurdish. 

This was a mistake, he said. “I think I am not the kind of person or at a level to use such a word. That is why I hope people who have got this wrong know that I respect them.”

He said he would never use “unpleasant words” against the Peshmerga. 

“The brave and heroic Peshmerga are always a pride to our nation,” he said. “The heroic Peshmerga and people of Kurdistan should know that I have respect for the heroic Peshmerga. I love them. I regard them as one of the symbols of Kurdistan nation.”

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10:23 pm

Parliament approves distribution of presidential powers

In a vote Sunday evening, parliament has approved a bill distributing the president’s powers to the prime minister, presidency of the council of ministers, presidential body of the parliament, and the president of the judicial council. 

As part of the bill, the Diwan of the presidency will continue in its duties. The Diwan is the secretariat of the presidency and is overseen by chief of staff Fuad Hussein. 

As well, any amendments to the existing presidential law by parliament will be put on hold until presidential elections can be held. 

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7:59 pm

Tensions rise outside parliament, reports of violence  

A group has gathered in front of the parliament, telling Rudaw they are there to demand an apology from an MP who they claim insulted the Peshmerga and President Masoud Barzani. 

Earlier in the day, a scuffle broke out when Gorran MP Rabun Maroof was speaking to media. He was speaking about the Peshmerga, describing them as heroes when a group of men interrupted him, accusing him of saying the Peshmerga had fled Kirkuk. Maroof denied saying that. He was pushed back from the microphones and into the parliament building. 

Images on social media show protesters with sticks outside the parliament. 

Kurdish broadcaster NRT reported that one of their reporters and a cameraman were attacked by people carrying sticks during a live broadcast in front of the parliament. Their reporter Rebwar Kakaiy has been severely injured, the broadcaster said. 

A Rudaw cameraman has also been lightly injured. 

Note: Video has no sound

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5:58 pm

Barzani will stay head of High Political Council

President Masoud Barzani will remain in Kurdish politics as leader of the High Political Council, his senior assistant Hemin Hawrami told The Associated Press. 

The High Political Council was formed to replace the High Referendum Council to take the lead in the post-referendum phase.

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4:59 pm

Barzani steps down as president, remains as Peshmerga

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani has announced he is stepping down as president but will remain serving his nation as a Peshmerga. 

He said in a letter to parliament that he rejects an extension of his term as presidency, but will remain a Peshmerga, dedicated to protecting and strengthening Kurdistan. 

“I refuse to continue the position of president of the Region after November 1, 2017,” he stated, advising the parliament to resolve the matter of the duties and powers of the president to ensure there is no “legal vacuum.”

For himself, he said, “I, as Masoud Barzani the Peshmerga, will continue with our nation and beloved Peshmerga in endeavors to achieve the just rights of our nation and protect the achievements of our nation.”

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3:43 p.m.