Erbil leader to not contest presidential election

By Idris Okuducu

ERBIL, Iraq (AA) - Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani announced Sunday he will not participate in the upcoming Nov. 1 presidential elections.

In a letter read out on his behalf during the regional government's parliamentary session, Barzani said: "As a Peshmerga, I will continue at the service of our people; I refuse to get any extension and will not continue in this position; law should not be amended for me."

Earlier on Saturday evening, senior Barzani assistant, Hemin Hawrami, tweeted: "President Barzani called for Parliament / President elections on 12/7 to be held in Nov 1. Parliament extended its work for two seasons."

On Wednesday, the KRG -- fearing more military escalation by Baghdad -- offered to “suspend” the results of last month’s illegitimate referendum, halt all military activity and enter into dialogue with the central government.

Tension has steadily mounted between Baghdad and the KRG since Sept. 25, when Iraqis in KRG-held areas -- and in several disputed areas, including Kirkuk -- voted on whether or not to declare political independence.

The unconstitutional referendum was heavily criticized by most regional and international actors, with many warning it would distract from Iraq’s ongoing fight against terrorism and further destabilize the region.

On Monday, Iraqi forces took over Kirkuk from Kurdish elements. The operation came weeks after an illegitimate independence referendum in territory controlled by the Erbil-based Kurdish Regional Government (KRG).

Kirkuk was among territory seized by Kurdish forces when the Iraqi military abandoned the city in the face of Daesh advances in 2015 but is not within the borders of the KRG’s autonomous territory.