Iraqi Kurds claim victory in independence vote
The president of Iraq's Kurdish region has claimed victory for the "yes" vote in the referendum on support for independence.
In a televised address Tuesday, Masoud Barzani called for "dialogue" with Baghdad, which has rejected the vote as unconstitutional and is staunchly opposed to any redrawing of borders.
Barzani said "instead of harassment, let's have dialogue for a better future," adding that "negotiations are the right path to solve the problems, not threats or the language of force."
Iraq's Kurds held a non-binding vote Monday on support for independence from Iraq despite the heavy opposition from Baghdad, as well as neighboring Turkey and Iran.
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has threatened a flight ban if the Kurdish region does not hand over control of its airports to federal authorities by Friday.
