Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (KRG.org) – Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzani, on Tuesday received US Congressman Kevin McCarthy, the Majority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, and his accompanying delegation of congressmen, along with the Deputy US Ambassador to Iraq, US General Consul to the Kurdistan Region and a number of advisors.

The delegation praised the security and stability which prevail in the Kurdistan Region, and lauded KRG for accommodating and protecting a large number of internally displaced people and refugees.

The delegation commended the Peshmerga forces in their fight against terrorism and stressed that the Kurdistan Region has many friends in the United States, and that they will continue to support the Kurdistan Region.

The delegation also welcomed the breakthrough agreement between KRG and the federal government of Iraq, and discussed the overall situation in the region with regards to the Kurdistan Region’s relations with neighboring countries and the international community.

Prime Minister Barzani pointed out that the US support has been very effective in stopping and repelling the terrorists. However, in order to eliminate and eradicate terrorism, he said that the Kurdistan Region needs more support, including heavy weaponry and training of the Peshmerga forces.

Regarding the agreement with the federal government of Iraq, the Prime Minister noted that the Kurdistan Region considers the agreement as positive and that it will pave the way for resolving the outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad. He reaffirmed Kurdistan Region’s support for the new Iraqi federal government, led by Dr Haider Al-Abadi.