Iraqi Kurdish President Masoud Barzani departed office on Wednesday, leaving his nephew to reconcile with the central government in Baghdad, with regional neighbors and with rival Kurdish parties after a failed referendum on independence. Nechirvan Barzani, who has served alongside his uncle as prime minister, will now be the main authority figure in the executive of the Kurdish autonomous region, following Masoud Barzani’s departure as president, Kurdish officials said. During his resignation speech, Masoud Barzani accused his political rivals of “high treason” for yielding territory without a fight. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also spoke with Nechirvan Barzani on Monday to encourage dialogue with Baghdad. Despite no longer being president, Masoud Barzani will not be retreating from public life, government officials said.

Source: Egypt Independent November 01, 2017 11:03 UTC