South Kurdistan's news websites report that Kurdistan Region's president has agreed for Chamchamal to be incorporated in the administration for Sulaimaniya province till the destiny of the town is determined.

According to Zawya website Ismael Mahmoud the head of the committee told a local media outlet that Massoud Barzani, Kurdistan president, agreed for Chamchamal to be annexed for administration to Sulaimaniya temporality till article 140 is enforced.

Mahmoud added only the logistics are left for the implementation of "Barzani's decision".

Some 7,0000 residents of Chamchamal last November signed a petition to Kurdish parliament demanding the legislative body to follow up the case to settle the dangling destiny of their town.

This comes while in the town reside not only Kurds but Arabs and Turkmans. According to unofficial figures 180,000 people reside in Chamchamal.

Chamchamal was separated from Kirkuk province Nov.6, 1976 under an order by the then regime. The town is 45 km east of Kirkuk city, 255 km north of Baghdad. Kurds claim the demography of the disputed area, including the oil rich city, has been altered at the expense of Kurds who were "original settlers" in the areas