Iraq News

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani agreed to share power within his Kurdistan Patriotic Union Party to avoid a split which would weaken the party ahead of legislative elections in Iraq Kurdistan. Chief of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan “accepted the demands of the five leaders who submitted their resignations including Kosrat Rassoul, vice president of the Kurdistan regional government”, a PUK official told AFP. The same source noted that President Talabani accepted terms to allow more transparency in the party\'s finances and substituting a number of the party’s officials. The agreement stipulated as well that one of the deputies of Kosrat Rasoul or Barham Saleh would supervise the group\'s intelligence services. The agreement was signed in Baghdad on Tuesday during a meeting between Talabani, Rasoul and Saleh. It has been agreed as well to start dialogue with dissidents from the group namely Nisherwan Mostapha to convince him of returning to the party.