erbil iraq iraqi kurdish leader ex-iraqi president jalal talabani die tuesday age 83 iraqi state tv say week iraq autonomous kurdish region hold referendum independence talabani veteran leader kurdish struggle self-determination step president 2014 long period treatment follow stroke 2012. talabani die germany accord erbil-based rudaw tv report early day health deteriorate often go germany medical treatment wife companion political struggle hero patriotic union kurdistan puk party voice lukewarm support sept. 25 referendum deliver overwhelm yes secession iraq unlike kurdistan regional government krg leader massoud barzani rival kurdish democratic party kdp puk traditionally good tie iran iranian-backed shi ite group effectively rule baghdad baghdad government iran turkey strongly oppose referendum talabani bear near erbil seat autonomous krg northern iraq 1933. live sulaimaniya stronghold puk main rival barzani kdp first non-arab president iraq elect 2005 two years u.s.-led invasion topple dictator saddam hussein sunni arab fuad masoum kurd puk replace talabani iraqi presidency largely ceremonial post political system establish saddam overthrow concentrate power hand prime minister haider al-abadi arab shi ite muslim one talabani sons qubad current deputy prime minister autonomous kurdish region northern iraq kurdish leader ex-iraqi president jalal talabani die state tv