Iraqi VP: Referendum to harm Kurds

The Iraqi Vice-President, Nouri al-Maliki, warned of the consequences of a referendum on independence in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, stressing that it will first harm the Kurds

"Referendum in the Kurdistan region is a big and serious mistake and the Kurds will be harmed more than others," Maliki told MNA on Wednesday.

"Referendum in Kurdistan region is illegal and will violate the constitution of integrated Iraq," he added.

Warning that certain figures want to seize the opportunity to introduce themselves as saviors of the Kurdish people, Maliki said, "Principally, the referendum will have no good benefit and will instead add to problems."

In relevant remarks on Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi also underscored serious opposition to Kurdistan region's bid to arrange a referendum for independence, describing it as illegal and a big mistake.

"The referendum for independence of the (Kurdistan) region is a very big mistake which is not legal and will bear no positive results and instead will add to the existing problems and therefore, we are strongly opposed to it," al-Abadi said.

EA