Kurdish leaders refuse to reject referendum result

Kurdish leaders have refused Iraqi government demands to reject the result of an independence referendum ahead of talks on the future of Iraqi Kurdistan.

They met Iraqi President Fuad Masum on Sunday in a bid to reduce spiralling tensions following the vote, which the central government called illegal.

Government-backed Shia troops and Kurdish fighters are currently facing off near the disputed city of Kirkuk.

However, Kurdish leaders say they want "to reach peaceful resolution".

They reject the "military option" but are "ready to defend" the city against outside forces, said Hemin Hawrami, an aide for Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani.
 BBC
 15/10/17
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