Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received the Lebanese Embassy Charge d’Affaires in Iraq, Mr. Walid Al-Ghossaini.

Mr. Walid Al-Ghossaini said that his country intends to open a representation office in the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil, in a near future, to raise it later to the level of consulate.

Mr. Al-Ghossaini discussed the current situation in the region and paid tribute to the role of the Peshmerga forces in the war against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS. He also commended the peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic and religious communities in the Kurdistan Region.

He said the situation of the Lebanese community in Kurdistan is satisfactory and anticipated a large number of Lebanese business people and investors to work and invest in the Region.

Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the good relations between the Kurdistan Region and Lebanon and stressed his government’s desire to further develop and strengthen them. He talked of the Lebanese in the Kurdistan Region as a welcomed and active community.

On the role of the Peshmerga forces, Prime Minister Barzani reaffirmed they defend all ethnic and religious groups in the Region, without any distinction. He added that the Kurdistan Regional Government actively works to promote a spirit of peaceful coexistence, an ancient and well-established value in Kurdistan society.

The situation of refugees in Lebanon and the Kurdistan Region, and the need to increase international humanitarian assistance were also discussed in the meeting.