(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday briefed NATO foreign ministers on the recent talks that he had with Iraqi leaders during his visit to Iraq.
"Iraq is facing extraordinary security challenges and political challenges. The US is supporting Iraq in its fight against ISIL which is a terrorist army that not only threatens Iraq but every country in the region which is opposed to it, and to Europe and the US," he told a press conference after the meeting of NATO foreign ministers this evening.
"Succeeding in this fight requires Iraqis to come together in order to form an inclusive government," he stressed.
Kerry said President Obama has asked him to travel to Saudi Arabia on Friday to meet with King Abdullah "to discuss regional issue including the situation in Iraq and how we can counter a shared threat that is posed by ISlL and also discuss our support to the moderate opposition in Syria." Asked about Iraqi prime minister Nour Al Maliki's statement rejecting a government of salvation, Kerry said: "That is not something I discussed with him. I heard reports about it but not sure exactly what he rejected or spoke." "The US is not disinterested in what happens in future Iraqi leadership but the US is not going to suggest to Iraqis who that should be and it's up to Iraqis to make those decision . We have interest in a government that unites Iraqis, won't repeat mistakes of past ,will bring people together it's up to Iraqis to decide," he said.
Asked about reports that Iran is sending arms and men to Iraq to support the Iraqi government ,Kerry replied: "Frankly you should best direct that question to Iran and government in Iraq but we made it clear to everyone in the region that we don't need anything to take place that might exacerbate the sectarian division that are already at a heightened level of tension." He added that "the fighting has been widened in the last days with reports of IRGC and personnel from Iran being engaged in Iraq, Syrian personnel, that's why government formation is so urgent."
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