Iran supports term extension for Barzani, says Iraqi Kurdish lawmaker

Nrttv.com 11 Aug 2015 – BAGHDAD,— Iran’s government supports calls for a two-year term extension for the Kurdistan Region’s president, according to a Kurdistan Islamic Group (KIG) member in the Iraqi Parliament.MP Zana Rostay told NRT on Sunday that Tehran has called on the Kurdistan Region’s political parties to approve a second two-year extension for President Masoud Barzani.

“A few days ago, the Iranian ambassador to Iraq met with the political parties of the Kurdistan Region to [convince them to] agree to another two-years for Barzani in his position,” Rostay said. Barzani has almost reached the end of two and a half consecutive terms, amounting to ten years in office. His last term, which was due to end in July 2013, was extended by two years by Kurdish lawmakers.A recent Jane’s report supported Rostay’s claim saying Iran supports Barzani remaining in office. “Iran’s vocal support for Iraqi Kurdistan president Masoud Barzani greatly increases the likelihood of him extending his term beyond 19 August without prolonged negotiations,” the report said. The report however also said that an extension would likely put talk of independence on the back burner for the Kurdistan Region.“These developments reduce the prospects of an independent Kurdistan in the three-year outlook as Iran would use its increased leverage over the KRG to arbitrate in disputes between Erbil and Baghdad.”

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