IRBIL, IRAQ October 27: Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani on Tuesday claimed victory in the referendum vote for independence and called for a "dialogue" with Iraqi authorities, who have rejected the vote as unconstitutional.
"Instead of harassment, let's have dialogue for a better future," he said, adding, "Negotiations are the right path to solve the problems, not threats or the language of force."
On Monday, Iraqi Kurdish voted on an independence referendum that drew objection from the government in Baghdad, as well as neighboring countries and the United States.
In response to the vote, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi threatened to ban all flights into and out of the Kurdish region if leaders there didn't concede control of airports to federal authorities.
Al-Abadi said the Kurdish region has until Friday to hand over the airports or the ban will be put into place.
The referendum vote is non-binding, but Barzani said he hopes the "yes" vote will lead to increased dialogue between the Kurds and Iraqi government.
"I call on Mr. Haider al-Abadi and the others [Iraqi political officials] not to close the door to dialogue, because it is dialogue that will solve problems," he said in a televised address. "We assure the international community of our willingness to engage in dialogue with Baghdad."
At the polls in the Kurdistan Regional capital, many voters donned trditional clothes and carried Kurdish flags, saying they believed this vote could be the beginning of the realization of their dream for independence. (VOA)