VIDEO: Barzani to Arab League Chief referendum not personal decision, cannot be postponed

ERBIL, Kurdistan (Kurdistan 24) – The Arab League Chief arrived in the Kurdistan Region on Saturday to discuss the upcoming independence referendum with the Region’s officials including President Masoud Barzani.

Arab League Chief Ahmed Abul Gheit arrived in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, and was received by the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Minister of Interior Karim Sinjari and other officials.

Arab League Chief arrived in Erbil and is expected to discuss #Kurdistan's independence referendum with officials.https://t.co/c4acjnBhkD pic.twitter.com/fTRIpjJ4Ez

— Kurdistan24 English (@K24English) September 9, 2017

The Kurdistan Region President Barzani also met Gheit at the Presidential Palace in Pirmam near Erbil.

In a statement released by the Kurdistan Region Presidency (KRP) both sides discussed the Erbil and Baghdad relations and the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum.

Gheit stressed on the importance of giving another chance for the Kurdistan Region and Iraq to live together and hold dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad under the international community’s observation, the KRP statement said.

Gheit expressed his concerns to Barzani over holding the referendum, asking for the postponement of the process for a while to give a chance to dialogue.

In his part, Barzani stated that referendum is not a personal matter that can easily be postponed as it is the decision of the people and the political parties in Kurdistan.

Barzani added that trust no longer exists between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, therefore the people of Kurdistan has decided to hold referendum which will be held on the scheduled date.

“The people of Kurdistan will utilize peaceful means and dialogue to guarantee its rights,” Barzani concluded.