Jalal Talabani, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), explained in an interview with Al Hayat newspaper that the gravity of the situation in the region prompted his visit to Damascus. Yesterday, he held a separate meeting with Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam.
Al-Hayat also reported that Barzani is scheduled to arrive in Syria in a few days, following an invitation from the Syrian official. The two Kurdish leaders, Barzani and Talabani, will then travel to Brussels to participate in the Iraqi opposition conference, which is set to commence on the 20th of this month.