Iraqi Kurdistan proposed Wednesday to freeze the results of its independence referendum, which triggered a major crisis with Baghdad.

Iraq has called for the cancellation of the results of the vote, which saw a massive “yes” for independence, as a precondition for any talks.

In a statement released overnight, the Kurdistan government said it would “propose to the government and Iraqi public opinion (…) the freezing of the results of the referendum (…) and the start of an open dialogue between the government of Kurdistan and the central government on the basis of the constitution.”

The three-point text also proposes “an immediate ceasefire and cessation of military operations in Kurdistan”, after Iraqi forces launched operations to restore central power in the territories seized by Kurdish forces in 2014, including the wealthy province of Kirkuk.

Source: AFP