Joe Biden talks oil exports with Iraqi Kurdish leader

Washington: US Vice President Joe Biden says Iraq`s self-ruled northern Kurdish region must work with Iraq`s government to resolve conflicts over revenues for exported oil.

Biden called President Massoud Barzani yesterday. It`s at least the second time this month that the two have spoken. The White House says Biden stressed the importance of close US cooperation with the Kurdistan Regional Government and with Iraq`s government. The two also discussed efforts to fight terrorism in Iraq. Iraq`s government has said it intends to create three new provinces in an apparent attempt to address Sunni grievances and counter the expansion of the Kurdish self-rule region. Iraq`s government and the Kurdish region have disagreed over the Kurdish region`s decision to unilaterally start sending crude to Turkey.