Barzani: US presence in Iraq ‘necessary’ as long Daesh remains

Prime Minister of Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), Nechirvan Barzani holds a press conference after attending IKRG cabinet ministers meeting in Erbil, Iraq on 4 July, 2018 [Yunus Keleş/Anadolu Agency]

Prime Minister of Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government, Nechirvan Barzani, said yesterday that US forces should stay in Iraq to help local security forces as long as the threat of Daesh remains.

“This presence is linked to the interests of Iraq,” Barzani said during a press conference.

Remarking on the Regional Government’s relations with Baghdad, Barzani said: “Our position is that we need to resolve the outstanding issues with Baghdad through dialogue on the basis of the Constitution, and we have gone a long way in our talks with the Iraqi government and there is close cooperation, especially with regards to the security aspect and the exchange of intelligence to fight Daesh.”

Barzani has reiterated support for Iraqi Prime Minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, saying he is serious about resolving controversial issues with Erbil.

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