Parliament of the Iraqi Kirkuk province has passed a resolution to hold a referendum to settle the issue of joining the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan or remaining as part of Iraq, reports Xinhua.

The PM of Kirkuk parliament Almas Fadhil announced, that "the decision to hold a referendum that Kirkuk to join Kurdistan region was adopted by majority of the council members." 41 deputies of Kirkuk Parliament voted in favor of holding a referendum, whereas 26 against.