As discussions continue over the independence referendum scheduled for September 25 in Southern Kurdistan, a United Kingdom delegation headed by Secretary of State for Defence, Michael Fallon, met with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Leader Masoud Barzani in Hewler on Monday.

According to a written statement released by the Kurdistan Region Presidency after the meeting which focused on the Kurdistan Independence Referendum of next Monday, September 25, Secretary Fallon reiterated the stance of the United Kingdom, that the referendum should be postponed.

Barzani stated that the proposed alternatives by the international community insist on having the negotiations before the referendum, yet they fail to guarantee Baghdad's willingness to begin the negotiations on independence.