ERBIL - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has expressed his support for Mustafa al-Kazemi as a candidate for Iraq's premiership, calling on all sides to put aside their differences and focus on the fight against the coronavirus in the country.

A statement by Barzani's office said that the Kurdish president "sees the formation of the new cabinet supported by all groups in Iraq as a necessity. Therefore, we welcome the nomination of Mr. Mustafa al-Kazemi, as the Shiite political groups’ candidate for the post of the Prime Minister of Iraq."

"We urge all parties to support him so that he can finalize the formation process of the upcoming government."

Barzani further argued that the "most crucial" duty of the government, is now to contain the coronavirus.

"Our country is currently passing through a difficult situation that requires all of us to put aside our differences. It also requires that we come to an agreement on how to form the next federal government based on the constitution and genuine consensus, which would ensure the stability and ability of the government to perform its duties," he said.

However, the statement noted that the Kurdistan Region Presidency "highly" values the security as well as political stability Iraq is making efforts to preserve.