Salahaddin, Kurdistan - Iraq (KRP.org) - Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani expressed his deep sorrow for the death of Abdul-Aziz Al-Hakim, the leader of Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, and described his death as a big loss to all Iraqis.

In a statement, President Barzani sent his sympathies and condolences to his son, Mr Ammar Al-Hakim, his family members, and the United Iraqi Alliance, which the revered cleric headed.

The President said, "We have lost a brother and a friend with whom we have had personal and family ties. His family has lost many lives and made many sacrifices for the Iraqi people and their freedom. We have lost a chief defender of the new Iraq."