VP phones Kurdish leaders over elections

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Vice President Adel Abdulmahdi discussed over two phone calls with Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barazani and Prime Minister Burham Saleh latest developments and elections in Iraq, according to a presidential release on Saturday. “The vice president took up during the phone conversations the outcome of his visit to Washington and meetings with U.S. administration officials,” read the release as received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The two sides also reviewed developments in the political process arena as well as issues related to the forthcoming parliamentary elections, the candidates and the stance regarding the dissolved Baath Party (of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein),” it added. Iraq is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections on March 7. Abdulmahdi underlined the need to offer all requirements necessary to render a success the elections process through wide-scale participation. AmR (P) 2