WASHINGTON
U.S. President Barack Obama called Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi late Monday to congratulate him on the approval of a new Iraqi government.
"The prime minister expressed his commitment to work with all communities in Iraq as well as regional and international partners to strengthen Iraq’s capabilities to fight against this common enemy," according to a White House statement.
Obama and Abadi agreed on the importance of having the new government quickly take concrete steps to address the aspirations and legitimate grievances of the Iraqi people, the statement said.
The U.S. considered an inclusive government in Iraq as the first step to deal with the threat of Islamic State, formerly known Islamic State of Iraq and Levant, or ISIL.
U.S. forces have conducted more than 100 strikes on IS targets in Iraq and the Obama administration has sent more than 1,000 military personnel to protect American facilities and to advise Iraqi and Kurdish forces on the ground.
Washington has been in search of a broad international coalition to deal with the IS threat as Obama ruled out American boots on ground from the very beginning of IS upsurge in Iraq.
The new Iraqi government was officially formed after it received a vote of confidence in the Iraqi parliament. The new government, which includes Sunni, Kurdish and Shiites deputies, was approved by a vote of 177 - 280 Monday.
Armed groups linked to the IS militants have captured large amounts of territory in Iraq in recent months, forcing thousands of Iraqis including Turkmen, Arabs and Yazidis to flee.
The U.S. accused former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki leaving the Sunni tribes and Kurds out of the political process in Iraq. Thus the U.S. administration strongly supported Abadi's appointment as the new Prime Minister of Iraq.
www.aa.com.tr/en
