IRBIL (RFE/RL) -- Iraq's Kurdish regional parliament has approved the autonomous territory's constitution by an overwhelming majority, RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq reports.

Legislature speaker Adnan al-Mufti announced after the vote on June 24 that the document was endorsed by 96 of the 97 lawmakers present.

Al-Mufti added that the constitution will next be voted on in a referendum to be held simultaneously with the region's parliamentary elections on July 25.

Deputy Galawaish Shabu, of the Christian bloc, told RFE/RL the constitution meets the aspirations of the Christian community in Iraqi Kurdistan, including protecting their cultural rights and religious freedom.