Iraqi Kurdish party calls on Barzani to resign

By Idris Okuducu

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq (AA) - The Kurdish Movement for Change (Gorran) party on Sunday called on northern Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani and Vice President Kosrat Rasul to resign.

"They have to resign from their posts. At the same time, the Cabinet should be abolished, too," party spokesman Shorsh Haji told a news conference, calling for the formation of a "national salvation government".

"Our people have lost many of their achievements which they gained shedding their blood. Peshmerga [fighters] ost their grandeur. We lost many friendly countries. The reason for all of this is due to the failures of the party in power," he added.

On Sept. 25, Iraqis in KRG-controlled-held areas -- and in several disputed parts of the country -- voted on whether or not to declare independence from the Iraqi state.

According to poll results announced by the KRG, almost 93 percent of those who cast ballots voted in favor of independence.

The illegitimate referendum faced sharp opposition from most regional and international actors (including the U.S., Turkey and Iran), who warned that the poll would distract from Iraq’s fight against terrorism and further destabilize the region.