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Iraqi Kurdish Parties Dispute Law Extending Barzani Presidency

Due to its general disregard for the internal bylaws of the Iraqi Kurdistan region’s parliament, members of President Massoud Barzani’s party and the opposition both have objected to a law extending his term.
Iraq's Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi (R) meets with Iraqi Kurdish President Masoud Barzani (L) in Baghdad, July 7, 2013.  Barzani visited Baghdad on Sunday for the first time in more than two years, in a symbolic step to resolve disputes between the central government and the autonomous region over land and oil. The visit follows an equally rare trip by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki who met Barzani in Kurdistan last month, breaking ice between leaders who have repeatedly accused each other of vi
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The Iraqi Kurdistan parliament ratified two laws that will extend the term of Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani by two years and extend the current parliamentary session for two months. This comes amid signs of an objection to the decision by the three main Kurdish opposition forces — the Movement for Change, the Islamic Group and the Kurdistan Islamic Union — who are talking of ways to pressure the government in case the laws go into force, including organizing demonstrations against Mr. Barzani.  

The Iraqi Kurdistan parliament’s regular session on June 30, 2013 devolved into physical fighting, with members of the three opposition blocs attacking the parliament speaker with water bottles.

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