Biden urges Kurdish leader, Iraqi PM to work together

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) US Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday urged Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani to work alongside Prime Minister-designate Haidar Al-Abadi "as he works to build a diverse, inclusive government representative of all Iraqis." Barzani "expressed his support" for Al-Abadi's appointment, "and his willingness to work with Al-Abadi and other leaders to bring Iraq's different communities together to confront the nation's political, economic, and security challenges," the White House said in a statement.

Biden also updated Barzani on the US airdrops of humanitarian aid to refugees on Sinjar Mountain, as well as "the latest efforts by the US military to help Iraq security forces counter the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)." The two leaders "pledged to continue their regular communication," the statement concluded.