LOC17:55
14:55 GMT
The leader of Iraq's Kurdistan region Masoud Barzani meets with UN chief's Special Representative for Iraq and UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) head Jan Kubis
IRBIL, Sept 11 (KUNA) -- The leader of Iraq's Kurdistan region Masoud Barzani underlined on Monday that a referendum for the region's independence will "go ahead as planned" on September 25.
His remarks came during talks with the UN chief's Special Representative for Iraq and UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) head Jan Kubis over the region's current and future relations with Baghdad, read a Kurdish presidency statement.
The referendum to secede from Iraq is the decision of the Kurdish people, Barzani told the UN official, and is their "natural and legitimate right."
Kurdistan plans to go ahead with the referendum despite opposition from Baghdad and the Arab League.
The US, on numerous occasions, has also voiced concerns the move could hinder the counter-terrorism campaign. (end)
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