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Kurds want united voice in Baghdad

ERBIL, Iraq, April 2 (UPI) -- Despite internal divisions among Kurdish political parties, constituents are calling for united Kurdish representation in the central government in Baghdad.

Iraqi voters handed the Kurdish political parties in the country a combined 57 seats on the 325-member Parliament. Kurdish slates, as expected, swept the Kurdish provinces of Erbil, Dahuk and Sulaymaniyah.

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With no political entity holding the 163 seats needed to form a ruling government, Iraqi leaders are negotiating to form coalitions. Kurdish leaders are calling for internal unity before joining forces with any counterparts in greater Iraq, the analytical Web site Niqash reports.

Kurdish opposition was silenced largely by the performance of the incumbent Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which took 43 of the 57 seats uniting as the Kurdistan Alliance.

Rivalries among Kurdish parties are bitter. Nevertheless, the majority of the people seem to favor a united Kurdish voice in Baghdad regardless of political coalitions.

Kurdish television, Niqash notes, asked for the public reaction to a Kurdish alliance with the victorious Iraqiya slate or the runner-up State of Law.

Most, said Niqash, said it doesn't matter so long as there is Kurdish unity in Baghdad.

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