Iraq rejects Kurds' move for independence unilaterally

BAGHDAD - 9 June 2017: The Iraqi government would reject any move by Kurdish regional authorities to press unilateraly for independence, a government spokesman said on Friday in Baghdad.

On Wednesday Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani announced that a referendum on Kurdish independence would be held on Sept. 25.

"No party can on its own decide the fate of Iraq, in isolation from the other parties," spokesman Saad al-Haddithi said in a statement.

"Iraq is constitutionally a democratic, federal country with full sovereignty (..) Any measure from any side in Iraq should be based on the constitution,'' Haddithi said.