Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani received Mr. Franklin Graham, President of the international humanitarian organization, Samaritan's Purse and his accompanying delegation.

Mr. Graham thanked the people and government of the Kurdistan Region for receiving and hosting a large number of internally displaced persons and refugees and providing them with necessary assistance and services.

He praised the role of the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces in the fight against terrorism and protecting all communities.

He highlighted Samaritan's Purse’s assistance to displaced persons. He also stressed the need for Christians to remain in Iraq as an important section of Iraqi society.

Prime Minister Barzani thanked Samaritan's Purse for its efforts in delivering assistance to displaced people.

He stated that the Kurdistan Region has taken all necessary steps to host and protect internally displaced persons and refugees as part of its culture of religious and ethnic coexistence. He emphasized that the Kurdistan Regional Government will continue to pursue this policy.

He also called upon the international community to support the Kurdistan Region to further promote the culture of coexistence in all Iraq.

The situation of the region in general and issues related to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region were also discussed.