During a press conference, Rasul said that he had not yet decided whether not to put himself forward for the position of secretary-general.

In his remarks, Rasul also said that relations with the Kurdistan Democratic Republic (KDP) were good at the moment and that there were few problems, NRT reported.

The PUK has not held an all-party congress since 2010 and plans to hold one have been put off for years.

There are concerns that the first party congress since the stroke and death of long-time party leader Jalal Talabani could spark an intraparty crisis between the factions of the deeply-divided PUK.

Reporter’s code: 50101