ERBIL, Iraq

The head of northern Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), Nechirvan Barzani, on Sunday called for political dialogue between the country’s political rivals in Erbil.

“KRG will always be part of a solution to the ongoing political deadlock in Iraq,” Barzani said in a statement.

He said the proposed dialogue “aims to reach an understanding and agreement on the country’s supreme interests.”

“We call on all different political parties to exercise self-restraint and engage in direct dialogue for solving problems,” the KRG leader added.

He warned that complicating the situation would put "the society's peace, security and stability in the country at risk.”

"At the time we respect the will for peaceful rally by the people, we stress on the importance of protecting the country's institutions," Barzani said.

Tension escalated in recent days in Iraq following the nomination of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to form a new government by a coalition of groups close to Iran amid protests by supporters of influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Iraq has been in a political deadlock for nine months following the country’s general elections in October 2021 which failed since then to agree on a new government between the rival parties.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar