Kurdistan Region swears in Nechirvan Barzani as new president. By Rudaw

Kurdistan Region swears in Nechirvan Barzani as new president

Nechirvan Barzani is sworn in as the president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, on June 10, 2019.

Nechirvan Barzani delivers first speech as IKR President

He thanked Masoud Barzani for his leadership of the Kurdish nation since he was 16 years old.

Nechirvan Barzani recalled the presidential system stems from calls during the Koya uprisings.

He emphasized that the world owes the Peshmerga and the US-led international anti-ISIS coalition and Iraqi forces a debt of gratitude for their sacrifices.

The newly sworn-in president encouraged Baghdad and Erbil to improve relations with its regional neighbors.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani delivers his first speech after taking the presidential oath on June 10, 2019, at Saad Abdulllah Palace Conference Centre, in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

Internal disputes in the Kurdistan Region get too much attention, according to Nechirvan Barzani. He urged the political parties to be more unified and have a consensus, while acknowledging that differences are normal, however.

He revealed there will be a new roadmap for the Kurdistan Region in working with the Iraqi federal government. This will better protect the rights of the people of the country, Nechirvan Barzani, according to the Iraqi constitution, argued.

Following his speech, the speaker of the Kurdistan Region parliament Vala Farid said this session at parliament would continue at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. The Kurdistan Democratic Party has nominated Masrour Barzani as its candidate for the premiership. He currently serves as the head of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC).

Iraqi NSA Alfayyadh wishes Nechirvan Barzani the best

Iraqi National Security Advisor Falih Alfayyadh repeatedly congratulated Nechirvan Barzani, reminding him that the Barzani family is full of leaders.

He emphasized that the people of Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, are looking to leaders for unity to serve them.

Alfayyadh vowed to do all he could in Baghdad that cooperates with the KRG. He wished prosperity and success for the Kurdistan Region moving forward.

He added that the liberated cities await for reconstruction and return to life, as do internally displaced Iraqis.

Hakim touches on historical relations

Ammar al-Hakim emphasized the historical struggle and leadership that the Barzani family had during the previous regime.

He acknowledged the sacrifices that Kurds have given for the sake of Iraq, arguing that the relationship between the governments in Erbil and Baghdad are larger than any personalities or political parties.

Hakim said prosperity can be achieved in the Kurdistan Region if the Iraqi parliament and the Kurdistan Region works together, similarly to that in southern Iraq. He also emphasized the importance of the real Iraqi image and its diversity.

Ammar al-Hakim is an influential Shiite cleric and leader of the Hikma (Wisdom Movement). He called Nechirvan Barzani his brother a well-known smart person throughout Iraqi cities.

He blamed the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) on political disputes and the lack of unity between leaders.

Halbousi encourages democracy, reform

Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi encouraged all the components of Iraq to embrace democracy and form.

He congratulated Nechirvan Barzani on becoming president of the Kurdistan Region and said he looked forward to both working together to zeroing all problems.

Calling, Kurds his "brothers," Halbousi was optimistic.

Salih encourages practical steps between Erbil, Baghdad

Iraqi President Barham Salih, a Kurd from Sulaimani, acknowledged the positive accomplishments which can be achieved when Baghdad and Erbil cooperate like they did through the conflict with the Islamic State (ISIS).

Salih said he expects KDP President Masoud Barzani to continue to have a leadership voice as he has for the past 50 years.

He emphasized the need for an agenda and practical steps to be taken between the KRG and Iraqi government

Masoud Barzani congratulates new president

Former Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani congratulated Nechirvan Barzani on his new post as president.

Masoud Barzani called on the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Iraqi federal government in Baghdad to take steps to resolve outstanding problems especially in the disputed territories like Kirkuk.

He also encouraged political parties in the Kurdistan Region to resolve internal problems.

Barzani takes presidential oath

Nechirvan Idris Barzani was sworn in around 12:30 p.m. as the new president of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region after formalities by parliament's leadership.

Iraqi Kurdistan Region President-Elect Nechirvan Barzani, Iraqi President Barham Salih, KDP President Masoud Barzani, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, and acting PUK leader Kosrat Rasul attend the presidential swearing-in ceremony in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, on June 10, 2016.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Foreign and local dignitaries have gathered in Erbil on Sunday to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Nechirvan Barzani as president of the Kurdistan Region.

Diplomats from the foreign ministries of neighboring Turkey like Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Iran are attending among representatives from embassies, consulates, and other missions. Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi is also attending to represent the federal government in Baghdad.

Nechirvan Barzani has served as Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) prime minister in the current government. It held elections in September 2018, but government formation has been slow due to partisanship and disagreements over posts.

The office of the presidency was suspended in November 2017, when Masoud Barzani, Nechirvan’s uncle, stepped down as president. Masoud Barzani is head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) — the largest in the Kurdistan Region.

The KDP has nominated Masrour Barzani, the head of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC), to be the next prime minister. His nomination must first pass parliament.

Iraqi President Barham Salih, a politburo member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), is also attending. The PUK is the second-largest in the Kurdistan Region.

Since the establishment of the new Iraq from 2003-2005, the KDP has held the post of the Kurdistan Region presidency, while the PUK has taken the Iraqi presidency.

Nechirvan Barzani secured 68 votes of the 81 MPs present in the parliamentary session on May 28, despite the PUK bloc boycotting the session. However, the PUK announced on Sunday that they would attend the swearing-in ceremony.

The president of the Kurdistan Region wields tremendous power, serving as the de facto head of state and commander-in-chief of all security forces.