Erbil, Kurdistan Region – (KDP.info) - Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, expressed his condolences to the families of those who died in recent demonstrations and called for the government and parliament to take action on corruption.

Mr Barzani spoke at a press conference at Erbil International Airport on his return from an official visit to Europe. He began by expressing his sorrow at the loss of life in the recent demonstrations that took place in some parts of Kurdistan. He also repeated his call for an investigation into the circumstances of these tragedies.

“I would like to send my condolences to the families of all those who died in the demonstrations,” said President Barzani. “I also want to thank the people of Kurdistan for not allowing the situation to get out of control.”

He said he will consult with the political parties, parliament and government and ask the parliament and government to prepare a programme for reform.

Referring to the wave of protests across the Middle East, the President said that the circumstances in Kurdistan are different from those in neighbouring countries. “We have committed our entire lives to the freedom of the people of Kurdistan,” he said.

Mr Barzani added that in the spring of 1991, at the time of the Uprising, he had made a speech in Koya saying that the people of Kurdistan should be able to choose their leaders by election.

The first elections in the Kurdistan Region were held in 1992 after the United States, Britain, France and other allies established a safe haven and no-fly zone over Kurdistan. After the elections, the Kurdistan Regional Government was established. Mr Barzani was elected president in 2005 by the Kurdistan Parliament and in 2009 by direct ballot in which he won 69 per cent of the votes cast.

President Barzani said he understood the people’s grievances, but stated that others should not use the protests for their own political aims.

He said that prior to his trip to Europe, he held many meetings with the representatives of political parties, the parliament and government and asked them to meet with people to hear their complaints and views. The President had also spoken to the parties about tackling corruption before his departure, and had asked for proposals and strategies on how to take meaningful action to combat corruption. "The time for just talking about corruption is over," he said.