President Masoud Barzani met with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran Brett McGurk yesterday to discuss the political developments in Iraq after the recent parliamentary elections, and prospects for Kurdish participation in the new government in Baghdad.

The two also discussed the formation of the KRG government. Mr. McGurk said he was pleased that the new KRG government would soon in place. For his part, President Barzani said that although the new KRG government has taken a long time to form, but it will be a strong government and would include all sides.

On Kurdish participation in the new Iraqi government, the President stated that all Kurdish parties will soon agree on a common policy and will speak with one voice in the negotiations for the formation of the new government.