In flag dispute Kurd leader threatens succession from Iraq

IRBIL, Iraq The leader of the Kurdish region in the north of Iraq threatened secession Sunday as a dispute over flying the Iraqi flag intensified.

Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdish region, on Friday ordered the country's national flag to be replaced with the Kurdish one. His decision sparked harsh words in Baghdad.

"If we want to separate, we will do it, without hesitation or fears," Barzani said during an address to parliament.

He tempered his comments slightly by saying that Kurdish leaders have already voted to remain in a united Iraq, but his statement was likely to inflame government leaders in Baghdad, who fear the Kurds are pushing for independence from the rest of Iraq.

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