Iraqi Kurdistan accepts Sistani’s initiative on referendum issue
The Parliament of Iraqi Kurdistan Region accepted the initiative suggested by the country’s religious authority on the issue of referendum, an Iraqi source told IRNA on Saturday.
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) said on its news website that the Region’s parliament has welcomed Ayatollah Ali Sistani’s initiative on referendum issue.
Despite opposition by Iraq’s federal government, international organizations and states of the region, the Iraqi Kurdistan local government held a separation referendum in the northern parts of the country, including the disputed regions, such as Kirkuk.
In his Friday prayers sermons in the holy city of Karbala, the representative of Iraq’s religious authority called on Iraqi Kurdish leaders and the government in Baghdad to abide by the constitution, preserving the country’s integrity, and resorting to talks to resolve their disputes.
Ayatollah Sistani also suggested that the Iraqi sides refer their disputes to the country’s constitution, and in case of disagreement, ask the Federal Supreme Court to judge.
Iraq’s Prime Minister office welcomed Ayatollah Sistani’s initiative and praised the stance that emphasized on the country’s unity and integrity.
In the statement also his guidelines, as an interpretation of Iraq’s national stance on opposition to the separation referendum and its illegal nature, were hailed.
Baghdad has repeatedly said that it will not recognize the results of the referendum, and rejects any negotiation on the issue.
