IRBIL, Iraq
Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq, has threatened to hold a referendum on secession from Iraq if Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was re-elected to a third term in office.
“If al-Maliki secures a third term in office, our choice will be a public referendum on a new formula for our relations with Baghdad,” Barzani was quoted as saying in a statement released by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
Barzani, who was speaking during a meeting with Syrian opposition leader Ahmed Al-Jarba in Paris, said the Kurds will not be partner with a Maliki-led government.
According to the statement, Barzani said he will work with other political parties "to find a real partner to lead the next federal Iraqi government.
Al-Maliki's State of Law Alliance was the biggest winner in last month's parliamentary election, clinching 96 out of 328 seats in parliament.
According to Iraqi electoral laws, prime ministerial candidates must have the support of at least 165 members of parliament.
By Aref Youssef
www.aa.com.tr/en
