Iraqi minister denies deal with Kurdistan

Iraqi politician, Ali el Alaq, denied a deal had been made between Prime Minister Nouri al-Malki, and Kurdistan’s President Massoud Barzani, which would see the Kurdish country support Malki through a third term. According to sources, Kurdistan is demanding greater support from Baghdad in its fight against al Qaeda. He told Arab Today that the meeting was held to resolve “outstanding issues” and cooperation between the two sides, and did not contain reference to extending Malki’s mandate in power. In August, hundreds of al Qaeda fighters in armoured vehicles attacked the northern Iraqi town of Shirqat with machine guns. The Iraqi army pursued the fighters in a two-hour chase through the dessert after which most of the fighters disappeared into Kurdish villages, where the army cannot enter without permission. Distrust between the neighbours has allowed the Sunni insurgents to regroup and gain ground, a year and a half after US troops pulled out. Barzani’s last visit to Iraq in 2012 came after three years when both countries reached a stalemate over political differences. Sources hailed the meeting a success, which they said discussed trade cooperation over oil and gas reserves.