Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit regretted the Kurds' holding of the independence referendum on Monday despite intensive Arab and international efforts exerted to prevent it.

Abul Gheit said "there is still time to contain the consequences of this measure," urging all Iraqi parties concerned to be responsible and prudent in dealing with this matter.

He renewed calls for the Iraqis to avoid splits and engage in a comprehensive dialogue on all controversial issues based on Arab and international guarantees to stave off any possible clash that could undermine peace and stability not only in Iraq but also in the whole region.

Abul Gheit's spokesman Mahmoud Afifi cited a decision taken by the Arab League Council on September 12 to pledge support for Iraq's unity and territorial integrity and stress the necessity of respecting the Iraqi constitution.

Source: MENA