Positive atmospheres to resolve problems between Baghdad, Irbil - official

IRBIL, Oct 7 (KUNA) -- Positive atmospheres prevailed for holding dialogue amongst political parties in Iraq to resolve the current problems between Baghdad and Irbil, said an official in Iraq's Kurdistan Region Saturday.
Iraq's Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani met with Vice Presidents Osama Al-Nujaifi and Ayad Allawi in Sulaimaniya, Kurdistan presidency quoted Fouad Hussein, Barzani's Chief of Staff, in a statement as saying today.
They discussed the status quo in Iraq and how to address issues and problems pertaining to the political arena, he said.
The conferees agreed on beginning dialogue and meetings amongst political parties in Iraq to lull situations, he added.
The meeting also covered lifting immediately sanctions on Kurdistan Region, he noted.
Following the meeting, Al-Nujaifi confirmed to reporters not to resort to sanctions or blockage on the region.
For his part, Allawi told reporters after the meeting that there are efforts on national, regional and international levels to find a solution that best serves the interests of Iraq and keeps its unity.
He stressed the need to reach results to be in favor of Iraq's interest, expressing his optimism over resolving the current differences.
The Kurdistan Region and the disputed areas, including Kirkuk, witnessed a referendum on Sptember 25 on separating from Iraq. Up to 72 percent of people took part in the referendum, 92 percent of them voted for it.
The move angered Baghdad and Iraq's neighboring countries, which opposed the referendum's results considering them as unconstitutional.
As a result, Baghdad took some punitive measures against Kurdistan, including banning flights, which came into effect as of Friday. (end) sbr.hm