President Barzani’s invitation to Queen’s funeral in London

[Anthea]

Kurdish leaders mourn death of Queen Elizabeth II

Kurdistan Region’s top officials and leaders of political parties expressed their sadness over the passing of UK’s Queen Elizabeth II who died at the age of 96 on Thursday.

Buckingham Palace announced Queen Elizabeth’s death late Thursday after her health deteriorated, with her doctors saying that she was under medical supervision. The Queen was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said in a tweet that he was “deeply saddened” by the passing of the Queen.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family, and the people of the United Kingdom during this difficult time,” he added.

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also mourned the passing of Britain’s monarch.

“We join the world in mourning HM the Queen, a peerless titan of our times who served with elegance and grace for seven decades,” he said in a tweet. “As a beacon of selfless duty, she inspired so many around the globe.”

Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, who spent his childhood in the UK in the eighties, said in a long statement that he “witnessed first hand many changes” in the UK during the Queen’s reign. “She was a symbol of integrity and continuity.”

Sadly, Prince Charles, Queen’s eldest son, automatically became the King and would be known as Charles III.

The leaders of Kurdish political parties also expressed their condolences for the passing of the Queen.

“I convey my heartfelt condolences to her Majesty’s family, the people and government of the United Kingdom,” said Masoud Barzani, former president of the Region and leader of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Qubad Talabani’s older brother, who too spent his childhood in the UK, changed the profile photo of his social media accounts to a completely-black photo.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/08092022

[Anthea]

President Barzani’s invitation to Queen’s funeral

The United Kingdom’s invitation to the Kurdistan Region’s President Nechirvan Barzani to attend the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II is “of great significance,” a Kurdish official told Rudaw on Sunday, adding that the presence of a representative from the Region at the event signals the progressing relationship between Erbil and London

President Barzani arrived in London on Sunday, upon the official invitation extended by the UK, to attend the funeral of the late monarch, as well as a reception with world leaders.

“This is of great significance,” Karwan Jamal Tahir, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) high representative in London, told Rudaw’s Alla Shally, adding that “the UK cabinet stressed that a Kurdistan Region representative must be present at the event.”

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died on September 8 at the age of 96 following health complications, triggering 10 days of national mourning and a tremendous amount of tributes from people all over the world.

Hundreds of royals and heads of states from around the globe have been invited and the funeral is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of leaders in recent years.

“Britain and the Kurdistan Region share a deep, broad, and historic relationship in a number of different fields, and they have been progressing as of late. The relations are based on the wishes of the Britons, and they are committed to wanting a strong Kurdistan Region within the framework of Iraq,” Tahir added.

The UK has been an important ally of the Kurdistan Region for decades. Thirty years ago, former British premier Sir John Major played a key role in declaring a no-fly zone in the north of Iraq, providing a safe haven from the Baath regime that allowed Kurds to gain some autonomy. An Erbil street was named after him in April 2021.

https://www.rudaw.net/english/world/180920221