Barzani: Referendum conveyed people of Kurdistan's peaceful message

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The President of the Kurdistan Region on Monday said the historic referendum conveyed the peaceful message and voice of the people of Kurdistan to Iraq and neighboring countries.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani on Monday held a meeting with the local administration, Peshmerga commanders, and officials from Kurdish parties in Kirkuk.

According to a statement by the Kurdistan Region Presidency (KRP), President Barzani thanked and congratulated the Peshmerga and security forces in Kirkuk as well as the people of the governorate for their role in the success of the independence referendum process.

The President stressed the need to maintain the stability and security of Kirkuk and protect the peaceful coexistence between all the governorate’s components.

“Kirkuk is a Kurdistani city and should be a model for ethnic and religious coexistence,” the President said in the statement.

The KRP statement reiterated that “the referendum is not against the Iraqi Constitution, the UN Charter, or international conventions,” but a “tool to legitimize the demand and decision of the people of Kurdistan to determine their future.”

President Barzani added that by being united the people of Kurdistan have been successful, and “with unity, the accomplishments can be protected and further successes can be achieved.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany