Bafel Jalal Talabani and Brett McGurk discuss current situation in Iraq, Kurdistan Region

On Monday, Bafel Jalal Talabani received in Erbil, Brett McGurk, the US National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting was attended by Qubad Talabani, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Matthew Tueller, the US ambassador to Iraq, and Robert Palladino, the US Consul General in the Kurdistan Region.

During the meeting, they discussed the political, security and economic developments in post-elections Iraq and emphasized the need for political solutions and dialogue in solving the issues.

Regarding the recent ISIS attacks, Bafel Jalal Talabani reiterated the need for strengthening the relations between the US and the Kurdistan Region, especially in the field of military, and called for continuation of US's role in training and improving logistics and military capabilities of the Peshmerga to root out terrorism in the region.

They also exchanged opinions on the post-election situation in Iraq and the upcoming Iraqi government, emphasizing the importance of forming a government that is in line with the sensitivities of the current situation, meets people's demands and maintains political balance.

In another aspect of the meeting, Bafel Jalal Talabani mentioned the efforts of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan for the representatives of Kurdistan to go to Baghdad as one team and referred to PUK's eagerness to create an environment for unity and solving the problems in a way that services the public interest.

"We want to go to Baghdad as one team that represents Kurdistan," Bafel Talabani said, adding that "we want the discussions with our friends to be based on the constitution."  

"We want to protect our national and legal rights and this will guarantee a strong and safe Iraq," he added.

Brett H. McGurk is an American diplomat, attorney, and academic who has served in senior national security positions under presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

He recently visited Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and met with the Iraqi President, Barham Salih, and many Iraqi and Kurdish high ranking officials.



PUKmedia