UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Thursday voiced concern over "increased tensions and reports of violence" between Iraqi federal forces and Kurdish militants known as Peshmerga, and called for dialogue for the sake of Iraqi unity.
The members of the council called on the parties to refrain from the use or threat of use of force and to engage in constructive dialogue as a pathway to de-escalation and as a means to preserve Iraqi unity, said Francois Delattre, the French ambassador to the United Nations, who serves as Security Council president for the month.
The council recalled the need for the rights and aspirations of all Iraqi citizens to be met through the full implementation of the Iraqi Constitution, he told reporters after Security Council consultations on Iraq.
Noting the willingness of the federal and regional governments to engage in dialogue, the council encourages them to set up a timetable for talks in a speedy manner, he said.
The council members reaffirmed their respect for Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity, and stressed the importance of remaining focused on efforts to defeat the Islamic State terrorist organization, said Delattre.
Tensions have been running high between Baghdad and the region of Kurdistan after the Kurds held a controversial referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region and the disputed areas. Iraqi federal forces are on an offensive to retake territory under Kurdish control.
