Kurdistan Region President held separate meetings with Iraqi President Barham Salih, Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi, and Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi on Wednesday.

"I was pleased to meet today with the provincial council heads to discuss their important role in delivering the government’s agenda, public services and responding to citizen needs," Barzani said in a statement.

early 1.1 million Iraqi IDPs and Syrian refugees are still in Kurdistan Region. They fled their homes after the emergence of the Islamic State (IS) in 2014.

President Barzani called for the establishment of unified national armed forces, one that is without any political or religious affiliations and well equipped to defend Kurdistan.