UNSC calls for dialogue between Iraqi federal govt and Kurds

The UN Security Council on Wednesday urged the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan regional government to launch a dialogue within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution.

Members of the council commended efforts of the two parties to de-escalate tensions and called for the launch of a dialogue between them, Sebastiano Cardi, president of the Security Council, told reporters.

The Security Council is heartened by the two parties' commitment to and full respect for the Iraqi Constitution as the basis of a negotiated settlement, he said.

Council members also called for steps to ensure the safe and voluntary return of all internally displaced people as elections are to be held in May 2018, said Cardi, the Italian ambassador to the United Nations.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Iraq and the importance of respecting the rights and aspirations of all Iraqi citizens through the full implementation of the Iraqi Constitution, he said.

Jan Kubis, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Iraq, on Wednesday briefed the Security Council on the Iraqi situation.

He congratulated the Iraqi government and people on their historic victory against the Islamic State terrorist group and its so-called Caliphate.

Regarding the situation in the Kurdistan region, Kubis said that all outstanding issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan regional government need to be resolved through their constructive partnership dialogue, which, he hoped, would lead to sustainable solutions on the basis of the Constitution that will also guarantee the full constitutional rights of the Kurdistan region of Iraq and its people.