Erbil "concerned" about violence against demonstrators and calls Baghdad to "prevent bloodshed"

Shafaq News / The governor of Erbil, Firsat Sofi stressed on Sunday, the need for mutual understanding and cooperation in Iraq "to prevent the return of terrorist groups and to stand up to all dangers facing us in the future."

In his opening speech of Najaf - Erbil Forum, named "Prospects for Kurds - Shiites Relations " in Erbil, Sofi said, "Erbil opens its doors again to embrace national reconciliation and the historic initiative to solve the problem of the political process and rebuild trust among all components of Iraq."

He added that "the Iraqi governorates are currently witnessing protests and demonstrations calling for reform , the provision of services and evaluation of the political process in a manner that leads to stability and development as this must be responded to the demands put forward in accordance with legal and constitutional frameworks."

"We are deeply concerned from the continuation of violence and killings targeting peaceful civilian demonstrators and security forces, and we take the opportunity to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, share their sorrows and wish the wounded people a speedy recovery."

"We affirm that peaceful demonstrations are a constitutionally guaranteed to all parties that must deal with national responsibility and spirit so that events do not get out of control and no more bloodshed to continue."

He stressed that "mutual understanding and cooperation is necessary to prevent the return of terrorist groups, which still pose the greatest danger to all of us. As we have win over the so-called caliphate state through the sacrifices of our sons, we can form with our cooperation and solidarity a strong barrier against all the risks facing us in the future and prevent regional and international interference in the internal affairs of Iraq and we determine our destiny ourselves away from external interference. "

He added, "The national interest forms the basis of the social contract, which must be in accordance with legitimate and applicable settlements through specific initiatives and jurisprudence that address immediate problems and erase the effects of the past, but rather invest them in building more integrated community relations in the future."