Salahaddin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRP.org) – President Barzani today briefed the foreign consuls and representatives of international organizations based in Erbil to discuss the latest political and security developments in Kurdistan and in Iraq.

In a meeting in Salahaddin, the President outlined the position of the Kurdistan Region regarding the recent security developments in the provinces of Ninawa, Salahaddin and Diyala.

President Barzani warned about the deteriorating security situation in Iraq by saying, “The situation is deteriorating as terrorists groups are growing in strength and pose a serious threat to the whole region. Confronting terrorists groups needs collective international cooperation and cannot be done by Iraq alone.”

The President blamed the divisive policies of Iraqi Prime Minister Mailiki for the current dangerous crisis that is facing the country, and warned that if he insists on staying in power, the result would be a complete destruction of the country. He also dismissed the Iraqi Prime Minister's unfounded accusations leveled at the KRG as an effort to divert attention from the his failed and disastrous policies.

On the deployment of Peshmerga forces to Kirkuk and other disuted areas, the President repeated that the Peshemrga forces have been deployed those areas to protect people and defend them against terrorists groups, and that they would not retreat. He added that after a referendum is held in these areas, implementation of article 140 of the constitution will be completed.

President Barzani stated that the Region will work on two paths in parallel: the first is to work with moderate Shia and Sunnis in Iraq to find a comprehensive political solution based on the new realities on the ground. The second is that the Region would continue in its efforts to organize a referendum so that the people will exercise their right for self-determination.