BAGHDAD, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Iraqi government officials Friday called on lawmakers and residents in Kirkuk to avoid any independent move to change the jurisdiction or autonomy of the city.

Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told reporters certain northern militias were "fishing in troubled waters" by stoking public sentiment in opposition of the status of Kirkuk, the Kuwaiti News Agency reported.

"Any unilateral move to change the identity of the city can only undermine the national unity and coexistence among all components of the society," the spokesman said.

The Iraqi Parliament by secret ballot July 22 adopted Article 24 of the provincial elections law, which delays elections in Kirkuk, divides authority equally among Arabs, Kurds and Turkomen, and deploys Iraqi national security forces to patrol the city.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, struck down the law the next day.

Dabbagh said any unilateral move on the status of Kirkuk is "illegal and unconstitutional," adding there are "constitutional mechanisms" to settle such disputes.

The Iraqi Parliament will take the matter up in a special Sunday session.