President Masoud Barzani on Monday received General David Petraeus, former Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), at his residence in Pirmam.

During their meeting, General Petraeus expressed his delight at meeting President Barzani once again, recalling their last encounter on the battlefields of Sheikhan in 2016. He commended President Barzani’s leadership and the Kurdistan Region’s crucial role in safeguarding stability and security in Iraq and the wider region, as well as in promoting peace, democracy, and coexistence in the face of terrorist threats that emerged after 2003.

President Barzani welcomed General Petraeus and conveyed his appreciation for the support of the United States and coalition forces in liberating Iraq from dictatorship and assisting the Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces in their fight against terrorism.

Discussing the political process in Iraq, President Barzani underscored the importance of implementing the permanent Iraqi constitution, emphasizing that adherence to it remains the only path to overcoming the current political deadlock. He urged all political parties to cooperate in finding constructive solutions and to move beyond past resentments and rivalries.

President Barzani further highlighted the significance of the 2007 Oil and Gas Law, noting that had it been enacted and implemented at the time, Iraq would not be facing the current legal disputes over oil and gas management. He described the recent agreement between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi Federal Government on oil and gas as a positive step and expressed hope that it would serve as a foundation for resolving all outstanding issues.

The two sides also discussed the broader political developments in the Middle East, the situation in Syria, and the ongoing peace process in Turkey.