Turkey: Erbil should declare referendum ‘null and void'

By Cansu Dikme

ANKARA (AA) – The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) should declare the referendum “null and void” as “everyone” expects, the Turkish presidential spokeman said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a news conference at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Ibrahim Kalin said: “Everyone expects the Erbil administration to pronounce this [illegitimate] referendum null and void and move on.”

On Sept. 25, Iraqis in the KRG-held areas -- and in a number of disputed areas -- voted on whether or not to declare regional independence from the Iraqi state.

According to results announced by the KRG, almost 93 percent of registered voters cast ballots in favor of independence.

The illegitimate referendum was heavily criticized by most regional and international actors, with many warning it would distract from Iraq’s ongoing fight against terrorism and further destabilize the region.

On Sunday, KRG President Masoud Barzani said he would step down when his term expires Nov. 1.