Iraqi Kurdish politicians say they will stay away from cabinet meetings in protest at comments by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who accused the Kurdish autonomous region of harboring militants fighting his government.
Deputy Prime Minister Roz Nuri Shawez, the highest level Kurdish official in the government, told reporters on July 10 that "such comments are meant to hide the big security fiasco by blaming others."
A statement from the office of Kurdish regional leader Masud Barzani earlier on July 10 said al-Maliki has "become hysterical."
It accused the prime minister of "destroying the country" and demanded that he step down.
Sunni militants, including from the Islamic State, formerly known as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have overrun much of northwestern Iraq.
Political tensions have risen between Maliki and Barzani as efforts to form a new parliament collapsed last week.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
