Nechirvan Barzani meets Khazali on second day of Baghdad visit

BAGHDAD — Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met Tuesday with Asaib Ahl al-Haq Secretary-General Qais al-Khazali to discuss government formation and regional developments, on the second day of a Baghdad visit that has taken him across the spectrum of Iraq’s political leadership.

Monday’s meetings included State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki, Al-Asas Coalition head Mohsen al-Mandalawi, the Coordination Framework leadership committee, outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Prime Minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi and Hikma Movement leader Ammar al-Hakim. Hakim said such visits contribute to strengthening relations and resolving disputes, and called for a government focused on services and economic reforms representing all segments of Iraqi society.

The talks are part of ongoing negotiations between Baghdad and Erbil ahead of cabinet formation. Key outstanding issues between the two sides, including the federal budget, oil exports and the region’s authorities, are typically revisited during government formation negotiations.

Zaidi was nominated last week by the Coordination Framework following the withdrawal of both Maliki and incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. He has 30 days to form a cabinet, draft a government program and secure approval from an absolute majority of parliament’s 329 members.