KRG premier meets Italian defense minister in Erbil

By Idris Okuducu

ERBIL

Prime Minister of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Nechirvan Barzani on Tuesday received Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti in Erbil, following an official visit by the latter to Baghdad.

Barzani and Pinotti discussed a number of issues, including ongoing efforts to retake the city of Mosul from the Daesh terrorist group, Iraq’s current political situation, and aid being supplied to Peshmerga forces, according to a statement released by Barzani’s office.

"The Iraqi government, the KRG and international coalition forces need a concrete plan of action for liberating Mosul from Daesh," the statement read.

"All parties must work to secure peace for all the people of the region," it added.

It went on to note that Barzani was struggling to find a solution to recent differences to have emerged between the KRG and the central government in Baghdad.

Pinotti, for his part, stressed Italy’s continued support for Peshmerga forces and its continued provision of military aid and support to international coalition forces in the effort to retake Mosul.

* Anadolu Agency Correspondent Ahmet Sait Akcay contributed to this story from Ankara.