US State Department Reiterates "We Do Not Recognize The referendum"

BAGHDAD, IRAQ (NINA) - Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi received a telephone call from US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Tillerson said during the phone call that Washington does not recognize the referendum in the Kurdistan region, and it supports the unity of Iraq and the steps of the federal government to avoid clashes and impose the rule of law. Tillerson said the United States of America pays attention to the war against Daesh and liberating all Iraqi territory and supports the efforts of the Iraqi government to eliminate terrorism, in addition to reconstruction of the liberated areas and support the Iraqi economy. Haider al-Abadi said what happened in Kirkuk represents a redeployment to impose order in the province, which are legal and constitutional steps in order to prevent the division of the country and weaken it. He added the federal government was keen on dialogue in accordance with the constitution, but officials in the region did not respond, stressing the priority is still to fight Daesh, which we are approaching to its resolution and liberate the entire Iraqi territory and secure the border./ End