Riyadh urges Kurd region chief to call off Sept 25 poll

By Ahmed al-Masri

DOHA, Qatar (AA) - Saudi Arabia on Wednesday urged Massoud Barzani, president of northern Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), to call off next week’s planned referendum on regional independence.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hopes President Barzani will draw on his deep wisdom and experience and refrain from going through with this poll,” the official Saudi Press Agency quoted an unnamed Saudi official as saying.

Saudi Arabia had issued the appeal “with a view to sparing the region fresh crises that could have serious political, humanitarian and security repercussions”, the official added.

He also urged all parties involved to “hold dialogue with a view to meeting the legitimate interests of all segments of Iraqi society, ensuring regional security, and preserving Iraq’s national sovereignty”.

The same official voiced Riyadh’s appreciation for the efforts of Iraqi PM Haidar al-Abadi -- a vocal critic of next week’s referendum -- “in serving Iraq and the Iraqi people”.

Slated for Sept. 25, the non-binding referendum will see residents of Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Iraq vote on whether or not to declare independence from Baghdad.

Turkey, the U.S., Iran and the UN have all joined Baghdad in speaking out against the referendum, saying the poll would distract from the ongoing fight against Daesh and further destabilize the region.

Baghdad has even threatened to intervene militarily if the vote results in violence.

Barzani, for his part, says a victory for the “yes” vote would not initiate an automatic declaration of independence but only lead to further negotiations with Baghdad.