Barzani, former US diplomat discuss Syria ceasefire, Iraq government formation

ERBIL — Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani met Wednesday with former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Taylor, discussing the regional situation, Iraq’s political process and the situation in Syria.

The meeting in Pirmam addressed ongoing efforts by political parties to form a new federal government and relations between Erbil and Baghdad, according to a statement from Barzani Headquarters.

Taylor referred to Barzani’s role in negotiations between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces aimed at stabilizing the ceasefire. She “valued those efforts highly,” the statement said.

Barzani said, “We want peace and stability in Syria and western Kurdistan to be secured, and for the ceasefire between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces to continue.”

He added that both sides should remain committed to implementing the terms of the agreement “in order to end war.”

Syria’s government and the SDF reached a broad agreement in late January to gradually integrate Kurdish military and civil institutions into the state after weeks of clashes ended in a ceasefire. The deal followed assaults by the Syrian Islamist regime and allied militias that forced Kurdish forces to withdraw into Kurdish-majority zones. Under the agreement, three army brigades are to be formed from SDF units, with a separate brigade for Kobani.

Taylor conducted a series of meetings in Baghdad this week, including talks with State of Law leader Nouri al-Maliki and National Security Adviser Qassem al-Araji.