Kurdish leaders reject Baghdad's demands referendum results be cancelled

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) - A delegation of high ranking officials from the two leading parties in the Kurdistan Region - the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) - are meeting in the Sulaimani Province to discuss the latest situation in Kirkuk.

President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani, Vice-President Kosrat Rasool, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, and the President of Iraq, Fuad Masum, are attending the meeting.

The Kurdish leaders are scheduled to discuss the ongoing crisis in the province of Kirkuk as Iraqi Forces and the Iranian-backed Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi militia continue to threaten an attack on the oil-rich, disputed southern area, according to a Kurdistan 24 Correspondent.

Both KDP and PUK emphasized they will abide by the result of the Sep. 25 referendum and will not reverse the outcome of the vote, which saw almost 93 percent of people voting in favor of secession from Iraq, a member who was present told Kurdistan 24.

"The meeting was successful," he said. "The KDP and PUK agreed that they will not negotiate with Baghdad separately, only jointly."

Editing by G.H. Renaud