Iraqi former President and Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani dies

Iraqi former President and the leader of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Jalal Talabani died Tuesday, the Iraqi official television reported.

Talabani, who suffered a stroke, was admitted to a hospital in Germany after his health was deteriorated recently, and he passed away in the hospital, the state-run Iraqiya channel said.

The death of the Kurdish leader, Talabani, came as tensions are running high between Baghdad government and the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan after the Kurdish region held a controversial referendum on independence of Kurdistan and disputed areas, including Kirkuk.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)