ERBIL — Kurdish leaders gathered on Monday to farewell the prominent politician and Peshmerga veteran, Dr. Roj Nouri Shaways, who died earlier the day at a hospital in Erbil.

President of Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Masoud Barzani, said it was a “big loss for the Kurdistan Region and KDP”.

“I lost a brother, lifetime friend, close companion, and co-struggler,” Barzani wrote in a statement. “Dr. Rowch spent his life for the sake of just cause of Kurdish people and achieving the superior goals of the nation and defending its land and people.”

Shaways held several senior positions in Erbil and Baghdad during 74 years of his life. He served as the Prime Minister of Kurdistan and parliament speaker during 1990s and early 2000. In Baghdad, he served as the Iraqi vice president and deputy prime minister after toppling Saddam Hussein’s regime.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also issued a statement to offer condolences. He highlighted Shaways’s life-long devotion to the rights of the people of Kurdistan as a Peshmerga, politician, and diplomat.

“In all the phases, he proved his true patriotism practically,” the Kurdish president said.

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also issued described Dr. Roj Nouri Shaways as “a patriot and brave Peshmerga”.

He wrote on Twitter: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Rozh Nuri Shawais — patriot and brave Peshmerga. He devoted his life to the freedom and rights of the people of Kurdistan, as a fighter, defender, and advocate.”

“He will live on in our thoughts and hearts,” PM Barzani added.