"Due to past injustices, our people have the right to possess a regular army trained up to the latest military standards," he said during a military ceremony at the regional capital of Arbil.

Barzani said the right of defence of Kurdistan could be found in the constitution where it recognized the federal character of Iraq, adding that the role of the peshmergas (Kurdish guerillas) "differs today than what it was in the past".

"In the past the peshmergas defended the liberty of our people, and today they are called on to preserve these gains," Barzani said.

Iraq's Kurds refuse to consider their personal armed security forces as militias that must be integrated into the national army.

The issue of irregular armed groups, or militias, has come to the forefront as security in the country has declined.