WASHINGTON D.C.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry called on Wednesday for Iraqi Kurds to participate in the formation of a new Iraqi government, according to State department spokesperson Jen Psaki.
Kerry met with a delegation from northern Iraq's autonomous Kurdish Regional Government in Washington for discussions about Iraq's security, which has been rocked by militant group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant -- who have now declared themselves an Islamic State -- and its allies.
"The secretary emphasized the need for their full participation to the new Iraqi Parliament convened to move the process forward, to forge an inclusive government that takes into account the rights, aspirations and legitimate concerns of all of Iraqis," said Psaki.
Psaki said that the U.S. expected Kurdish politicians to attend a parliamentary meeting scheduled for July 8, after they walked out last week, and said the U.S. supports Iraq's unity, rather than Kurdish independence.
"A united Iraq is a stronger Iraq and the focus should be on the existential threat that all Iraqis face and that people in the region face, which is the threat of ISIL, and we should not give an opening to a horrific terrorist group by being divided at this critical moment," said Psaki.
Kurdish Regional Government President Massoud Barzani told the BBC on Tuesday that a referendum would be held on independence within months.
The Kurdish Regional Government's defense forces - called the Peshmerga - seized control of the disputed oil-rich city of Kirkuk after the Iraqi army pulled out of the area in mid-June, following a major offensive by ISIL-led armed insurgents.
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