Iraq
Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji speaking to Rudaw in Baghdad on July 4, 2024. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji said on Thursday that the recent visit by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Masoud Barzani to Baghdad was “very big” and the Kurdish leader is a key figure in Iraq.
“His Excellency President Masoud is one of the leaders of Iraq, and one of those who have the real foundation after 2003 for the formation of successive Iraqi governments,” Araji told Rudaw.
Barzani made a two-day visit to the Iraqi capital on Wednesday, meeting with the Iraqi top officials and political leaders and the heads of foreign missions in the country. He last visited Baghdad in November 2018.
Araji said Barzani is "one of the first and few leaders who seek a unified, federal Iraq," considering his visit to Baghdad as a "generous and dear” one.
“Baghdad is his Baghdad," he noted.
The advisor also said that "everyone has the will to find solutions, based on the constitution and law in federal Iraq."
Hadi al-Amiri, head of the Badr Organization, one of the key members of the ruling coalition, told reporters on Thursday that Barzani’s visit was “successful” and “broke the existing deadlock.”
He added that Barzani had “serious talks” in Baghdad with the Iraqi authorities.
"The government is serious about resolving all remaining problems with the Kurdistan Region, and he [President Barzani] had a meeting with the Coordination Framework, and the meeting was brotherly and frank, as he and we spoke frankly with one another,” he noted.
"I believe that these meetings are very important for advancing Iraq towards security and political stability in order to build a strong, honorable and capable Iraq."
Abu Mithaq al-Masari, a member of the Badr Organization, told Rudaw on Wednesday that Baghdad is having a “carnival” to celebrate Barzani’s rare visit.
"It is very clear that Baghdad today is in a big carnival and celebrating this dear and great guest, as several years have passed since the last visit of Leader Barzani to Baghdad, and his visit today comes amid an ideal and friendly atmosphere for the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil,” he added.
“His Excellency President Masoud is one of the leaders of Iraq, and one of those who have the real foundation after 2003 for the formation of successive Iraqi governments,” Araji told Rudaw.
Barzani made a two-day visit to the Iraqi capital on Wednesday, meeting with the Iraqi top officials and political leaders and the heads of foreign missions in the country. He last visited Baghdad in November 2018.
Araji said Barzani is "one of the first and few leaders who seek a unified, federal Iraq," considering his visit to Baghdad as a "generous and dear” one.
“Baghdad is his Baghdad," he noted.
The advisor also said that "everyone has the will to find solutions, based on the constitution and law in federal Iraq."
Hadi al-Amiri, head of the Badr Organization, one of the key members of the ruling coalition, told reporters on Thursday that Barzani’s visit was “successful” and “broke the existing deadlock.”
He added that Barzani had “serious talks” in Baghdad with the Iraqi authorities.
"The government is serious about resolving all remaining problems with the Kurdistan Region, and he [President Barzani] had a meeting with the Coordination Framework, and the meeting was brotherly and frank, as he and we spoke frankly with one another,” he noted.
"I believe that these meetings are very important for advancing Iraq towards security and political stability in order to build a strong, honorable and capable Iraq."
Abu Mithaq al-Masari, a member of the Badr Organization, told Rudaw on Wednesday that Baghdad is having a “carnival” to celebrate Barzani’s rare visit.
"It is very clear that Baghdad today is in a big carnival and celebrating this dear and great guest, as several years have passed since the last visit of Leader Barzani to Baghdad, and his visit today comes amid an ideal and friendly atmosphere for the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil,” he added.
Halkawt Aziz contributed to this article.
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