PARIS, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated Saturday the necessity for the Iraqi government and the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan to hold talks to end the political crisis in the country peacefully, his office said on Sunday.
Macro made the remarks during a phone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Haydar al-Abadi on Saturday. He said "everything must be done to avoid fighting between the Iraqis, and that in line with Iraq's unity and constitution, a dialogue must be held between Erbil (the capital city of Kurdistan Region in Northern Iraq) and Baghdad taking into account the rights of Kurds and minorities."
For his turn, the Iraqi prime minister "recalled the importance of preserving national unity and finding a concerted solution with the Kurds."
The Elysee said in a statement that the two leaders "have already exchanged views several times" to seek for a diplomatic alternative to resolve the dispute between the Iraqi government and the Kurds who voted earlier this month for independence in a referendum that Baghdad said was illegal.
During al-Abadi's visit to Paris on Oct. 5, the French president proposed Paris mediation to make the rival parts sit on the same negotiating table with the aim of ending the political row peacefully.
Tensions have been running high between Baghdad and Erbil after the Kurds held a controversial referendum on the independence of the Kurdistan region and the disputed areas.
The Iraqi prime minister on Friday announced 24-hour halt of movement of the Iraqi security forces to allow a joint Iraqi-Kurdish military team to arrange redeployment of federal forces in the disputed areas claimed by Baghdad and the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan.
The latest measure came "to prevent clashes and bloodshed between the sons of one nation," according to a statement of the premier's office.
The statement came a day after heavy clashes between the two sides on Thursday as the government troops advanced to seize more disputed areas outside the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan.
