Iraqi PM Abadi says Kurdish independence referendum "unconstitutional"

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi delivers remarks at the morning ministerial plenary for the Global Coalition working to Defeat ISIS at the State Department in Washington, U.S., March 22, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/Files

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi described the Kurdistan region's planned referendum on independence as "unconstitutional" on Tuesday, hours after parliament voted against the regional plebiscite. "I call upon the Kurdish leadership to come to Baghdad and conclude a dialogue," Abadi said at a news conference. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Raya Jalabi; Editing by Hugh Lawson)