LOC10:48
07:48 GMT
IRBIL, Sept 25 (KUNA) -- Voters in Iraq's autonomous region of Kurdistan are voting in an independence referendum, amid rising tensions and international opposition.
Initiated by the President of Iraq's Kurdish regional government, Masoud Barzani, the historic vote toke place across the three Northern provinces of autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan, Irbil, Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk, as well as in disputed bordering zones such as the oil-rich province of Kirkuk.
"We are ready to have a long and constructive conversations with Baghdad", Barzani told reporters on Sunday.
He said the Kurds' "partnership with Baghdad" since the ousted of dictator Saddam Hussein in the 2003 US-led invasion had failed.
"The referendum is not for defining borders or imposing a fait accompli. We want a dialogue with Baghdad to resolve the problems, and the dialogue can last one or two years," Barzani added.
The central government of Iraq has called the vote unconstitutional, unilateral and that it will not recognize the results. Iran and Turkey have opposed the vote, too.
Further away, the United Nations, UK and the United States, among others, have also expressed their opposition.
A total of 68 polling stations for more than 5.3 million registered voters are to stay open for 12 hours from 8:00 am (0500 GMT).(pick up previous).
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