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Iraqi Kurdish leader to step down amid fallout from independence poll Iraqi Kurdish leader to step down over fallout from independence poll
(35 minutes later)
Masoud Barzani, the president of the autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq, has told a closed-door session of parliament he was stepping down amid the fallout from a controversial independence referendum. Masoud Barzani, the president of the autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq, has told a closed-door session of parliament he in stepping down over the fallout from a controversial independence referendum.
“After 1 November , I will no longer exercise my functions, and I reject any extension of my mandate,” the 71-year-old said in a letter read out to MPs in the Kurdish capital, Erbil, a copy of which was obtained by Agence France-Presse.“After 1 November , I will no longer exercise my functions, and I reject any extension of my mandate,” the 71-year-old said in a letter read out to MPs in the Kurdish capital, Erbil, a copy of which was obtained by Agence France-Presse.
“Changing the law on the presidency of Kurdistan or prolonging the presidential term is not acceptable,” it said . “I ask parliament to meet to fill the vacancy in power, to fulfil the mission and to assume the powers of the presidency of Kurdistan.” “Changing the law on the presidency of Kurdistan or prolonging the presidential term is not acceptable,” it said. “I ask parliament to meet to fill the vacancy in power, to fulfil the mission and to assume the powers of the presidency of Kurdistan.”
Barzani was the architect of the independence vote on 25 September, which led to the Kurds losing to Baghdad’s forces disputed territory to which they laid claim. Barzani was the architect of the independence vote on 25 September, which led to the Kurds losing disputed territory to which they had laid claim to Iraqi forces.
Barzani also said he would “remain a peshmerga among the ranks of the people of Kurdistan”, adding: “I will continue to defend the achievements of the people of Kurdistan.” Barzani also said he would “remain a peshmerga among the ranks of the people of Kurdistan” and “continue to defend the achievements of the people of Kurdistan.”
The parliamentary session was held behind closed doors on Sunday because of “sensitive questions” that would be discussed, deputies said earlier. The parliamentary session was held behind closed doors on Sunday because of the sensitive questions that would be discussed, its members said earlier.
Officials from Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic party (KDP) had told journalists before the session that the letter to be read out would announce he was stepping aside.Officials from Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic party (KDP) had told journalists before the session that the letter to be read out would announce he was stepping aside.