Kurdish premier hails local police units

ERBIL, Iraq, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani hailed the ability of his police force to maintain law and order during a graduation ceremony for the unit in Erbil.

Barzani said the relative security and economic climate in the northern Kurdish region of Iraq were due to the work of the police and Peshmerga forces, the Kurdistan Regional Government said in a statement Tuesday.

"There is progress in the economy, and there is also progress in the field of public services and infrastructure. This occurred with the help of the police, Peshmerga and all other security forces, whose efforts have made an important impact in improving the economy and welfare of the people," he said.

The Kurdish premier said advanced training used in coordination with academic discipline made the force stand out in its ability to maintain security with respect for human rights and international law.

"You must ensure that violence will no longer be used against women. Indeed, you must make great efforts to ensure that violence will be eradicated from society altogether," Barzani said.

Women and minority groups also should step forward to join the regional police force, he said.