ERBIL — Iraqi political leaders have demanded Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani to lead an initiative on the current political deadlock in the country.



Kurdish Member of the Iraqi Parliament, Khasraw Goran, told BasNews that political leaders in Baghdad return to Barzani whenever they are locked in major disputes.



Since 2003, Goran says, Barzani has played a crucial role in easing the tensions in Baghdad, and he is being asked to mediate between the sides when Iraq is faced by political impasses.



“Leader of Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq Ammar al-Hakim, Head of the Wiqaf National Movement Ayad Allawi, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and several other Sunni and Shi’ite Arab leaders have recently spoke with Barzani, asking him to find a solution to their disputes in Baghdad,” the Kurdish MP said.



However, Barzani apparently gives priority to domestic issues in the Kurdistan Region, including bringing a national unity among Kurds, overcoming financial crisis, the war against Islamic State (IS) as well as holding a referendum on Kurdish independence, according to MP Goran.



“The current situation is totally different with the situation before 2010; Kurds no longer have trust in the central government and the Erbil-Baghdad disputes over budget remains unsolved. Therefore, the issues in the Kurdistan Region are of top priorities for the Kurdistan Region President.”



Iraq is faced by acute political crises as the result of a long-promised reform package which PM Abadi promised to implement. The sides, mainly Shi’ite factions, are now threatening to overthrow Iraqi president, prime minister and parliament speaker if the reforms do not meet their demands.



Last week, thousands of angry protesters from Sadris Movement breached the Green Zone in Baghdad and stormed the parliament building, and act which caused suspension in parliamentary session.

basnews