Despite lingering and tense disputes with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki over the Iraqi budget and the oil law, Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani is increasingly perceived as taking up the mantle of mediator while Iraqi President Jalal Talabani remains outside Iraq because of health issues.

Following Barzani's return from his European tour at the end of last week, a series of meetings has been held in the region between Kurdish factions under Barzani’s supervision and Iraqi parties who have visited him in the last few days.

Barzani's European tour lasted for more than a week, during which he participated in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and visited Germany and Northern Ireland.

Upon his return, he oversaw the meeting between the political offices of his party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, headed by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. He then welcomed a delegation from the Sadrist Movement and another from the American Embassy in Baghdad. Some sources also indicated that he welcomed a delegation from the national coalition, of which al-Maliki is a member. Barzani ended his week by overseeing a meeting for Kurdish parties.