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            Kerry Urges Iraqi PM Nominee to Quickly Form Government

   by VOA News

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is urging Iraqi prime minister
   nominee Haider al-Abadi to form a new cabinet as quickly as possible
   and is pledging support for Iraq in its fight against militants from
   the Islamic State group.

   Kerry told reporters Tuesday in Australia that the goal for Iraq
   remains a government that represents the country's Shi'ites, Sunnis,
   Kurds and other minorities.

   "The new Iraqi leadership has a very difficult challenge. It has to
   regain the confidence of its citizens by governing inclusively, but
   also by taking steps to demonstrate their resolve, and we're going to
   continue to stand with the Iraqi people during this time of
   transition," said Kerry.

   Secretary Kerry said there will be no return of U.S. combat forces to
   Iraq, stressing that the country is facing a fight that "Iraqis need to
   join on behalf of Iraq."

   "What we're really looking for here is a way to support Iraq, support
   their forces with either training or equipment or assistance of one
   kind or another that can help them to stand on their own two feet and
   defend their nation," said Kerry.

   U.S. defense chief Chuck Hagel called the selection of Abadi "good
   news," and said the United States looks forward to working with a new
   government once it is in place.

   On Monday, President Barack Obama urged those forming the new Iraqi
   administration to come together peacefully with a goal of eliminating
   the threat of Islamic State militants who have seized much of the
   country with little opposition.

   The president noted recent U.S. airstrikes in support of Kurdish
   fighters and civilian refugees in northern Iraq.  He said U.S. aircraft
   remain in position to strike at extremists seeking to carve out a
   caliphate in the vast regions now under their control.

   Obama said he and Vice President Joe Biden telephoned Abadi to
   congratulate him on his nomination Monday.

   New Iraqi President Fouad Massoum named Abadi, the deputy speaker of
   parliament, for the leadership post over strong protests from Nouri
   al-Maliki, who was seeking a third term as prime minister.

   Abadi has 30 days to form a government. He voiced confidence the
   country can eventually defeat the Islamic State insurgency that now
   controls large tracts of eastern Syria and northwestern Iraq.

   Maliki -- widely accused of failing to unite Iraqi factions during his
   8-year tenure -- has defied calls from Sunnis, Kurds and some fellow
   Shi'ites to step aside for a less polarizing figure.

   As the political crisis intensified Monday, the embattled Maliki
   appeared on TV with members of his political bloc. Maliki supporters
   insist they will not accept the Abadi nomination and that Maliki
   remains their choice for prime minister.

   Islamic State has horrified the international community by brutally
   executing ethnic and religious minorities and others who do not agree
   with its strict interpretation of Islam.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-urges-iraqi-pm-nominee-quickly-
   form-government/2410486.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/kerry-urges-iraqi-pm-nominee-quickly-form-government/2410486.html