Kingdom: Avoid Kurdistan referendum

Riyadh — Saudi Arabia on Wednesday urged Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani to call off planned referendum on independence for his autonomous region to avoid further “crises” in Iraq and the region.

Holding the referendum as planned on Sept. 25 could have “negative consequences on the political, security and humanitarian fronts and upset the efforts to achieve stability and security in the region, including the fight against terrorist organizations and related activities,” said an official source.

“In line with regional and international positions on this issue, Saudi Arabia looks forward to the wisdom of President Massoud Barzani in not holding a referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region of Iraq to spare Iraq and the region more risks that it may cause.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls upon the parties concerned to engage in dialogue in the interest of the Iraqi people and to ensure security and peace in Iraq and preserve its unity and sovereignty. “The Kingdom appreciates the efforts of Iraqi Prime Ministers Haider Al-Abadi in serving Iraq and all sections of Iraqi people.

It also expresses its appreciation for the leaders and all sections of the people in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and their achievements in all fields. “It is not advisable to rush to take any unilateral stand that would further complicate regional situation.

It is always better to work according to the interests of both parties and achieve the aspirations of the Iraqi people to return to the agreements signed between the parties and the provisions of the Iraqi constitution,” the Saudi official source said.