Masoud Barzani meets with UN envoy amid Iraq gov. formation dispute
Barzani received Plasschaert and an accompanying delegation in the resort town of Pirmam just outside Erbil. They shed light on the threats and challenges facing the political process in Iraq and expressed their concerns about the country's ongoing political unrest, a statement from Barzani's office said.
The KDP leader and the UN envoy held an in-depth exchange regarding recent political developments in Iraq, with a particular emphasis on the government formation process in Baghdad.
In the meeting, both Barzani and Plasschaert discussed potential ways forward amid Iraq's persistent political crisis. Barzani highlighted the importance of the UN's role in facilitating solutions to improve the situation.
Since the fall of the former Iraqi regime, the country has been wracked by one crisis after another. In October, widespread unrest resurfaced again as anti-government protesters took to the streets of various southern and central cities.
The demonstrations have called for the ouster of a ruling elite they see as unashamedly corrupt and indifferent to the woes of the public amid low living standards.
Members of various Iraqi security forces have killed at least 550 demonstrators and wounded tens of thousands more, according to official data by parliament's Human Rights Committee. Unofficial estimates range well over 600 deaths and over 20,000 others injured.
Related Article: Iraq's Sadr threatens 'million-man' march if parliament does not vote on new cabinet
Last week Prime Minister-Designate Mohammed Allawi announced that he had formed an "independent" cabinet and called on the national parliament to hold an extraordinary session next week to vote on it. March 2 marks a constitutional deadline for the vote, but such deadlines often go unmet in Iraq with few or no consequences.
Disputes have plagued Allawi's nomination as protesters have rejected him, and Kurdish and Iraqi Sunni politicians have criticized him for an apparent sidelining of their leaders.
So far, it is unclear when a session to vote on the prime minister hopeful's cabinet as the speaker of the national parliament has rejected Allawi's call for a Monday gathering.
