According to Al-Ma'lomeh news agency, Ahmed Ayub said in this regard: "The KDP candidate will be out from the race for the presidency of Iraq as he is less known and weaker than the Hoshyar Zebari (the former KDP candidate for Iraqi presidency), and no agreement has been reached between the two parties on a single figure."

Ahmed Ayub added: "Implementing the principle of agreement among the Kurdish movements will increase Barham Saleh's chances for a new presidency. Because he is the first candidate in this field and the KDP chances are very low.

The senior PUK member stressed that reaching an agreement on the presidential candidate is desirable for the PUK, whose candidate is among the leading candidates in this field.

It should be noted that Mohammed al-Baldawi, a member of the Fatih coalition in the Iraqi parliament, had previously announced that the Coordination Framework would vote for a candidate committed to maintaining the unity and status of Iraq, and that members of the Framework Committee would be free to vote for any candidate.

Reporter's code: 50101