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Obama says Iraq took 'promising step' nominating new PM Obama says Iraq took 'promising step' nominating new PM
(35 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has said the nomination of Haider al-Abadi as Iraq's prime minister-designate is a "promising step forward".US President Barack Obama has said the nomination of Haider al-Abadi as Iraq's prime minister-designate is a "promising step forward".
He acknowledged that Iraq had been through "difficult days", and urged its political leaders to work together.He acknowledged that Iraq had been through "difficult days", and urged its political leaders to work together.
Earlier on Monday, Iraq's president asked Mr Abadi to form a new government, snubbing the incumbent Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.Earlier on Monday, Iraq's president asked Mr Abadi to form a new government, snubbing the incumbent Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
Mr Maliki said Mr Abadi's nomination was a "violation of the constitution".Mr Maliki said Mr Abadi's nomination was a "violation of the constitution".
Speaking from his holiday retreat in Martha's Vineyard, Mr Obama also said US forces had successfully carried out air strikes against Islamist militants in northern Iraq. No US solution
Fighters from the Islamic State (IS) group have made substantial gains in northern Iraq in recent months, forcing tens of thousands of people from religious minorities to flee their homes. Speaking from his holiday retreat in Martha's Vineyard, Mr Obama said US forces had successfully carried out air strikes to prevent the advance of Islamist militants in northern Iraq.
But Mr Obama said there was no American military solution to the crisis - and that only an inclusive Iraqi government could unify the fight against the Islamists.
Militants from the Islamic State (IS) group have made substantial gains in northern Iraq in recent months, forcing tens of thousands of people from religious minorities to flee their homes.
As well as the air strikes, the US has conducted air drops of essential supplies to Yazidi people stuck on a mountain range.As well as the air strikes, the US has conducted air drops of essential supplies to Yazidi people stuck on a mountain range.
Over the last four nights, US and UK air crews have flown 14 successful missions, air dropping more than 310 bundles of food, water and medical supplies, and delivering almost 16,000 gallons of water and 75,000 meals, Washington says.Over the last four nights, US and UK air crews have flown 14 successful missions, air dropping more than 310 bundles of food, water and medical supplies, and delivering almost 16,000 gallons of water and 75,000 meals, Washington says.
The US has also begun supplying weapons to the Kurdish Peshmergas who are fighting the militants, senior US officials have told the Associated Press. The US has also begun supplying weapons to the Kurdish Peshmergas, who are fighting the militants, senior US officials have told the Associated Press.
Multi-ethnic government
President Obama said Iraq's new leadership "has a difficult task to regain the confidence of its citizens by governing inclusively and taking steps to demonstrate its resolve."
He urged Mr Abadi to form a cabinet that represents all of Iraq's ethnic and sectarian communities, and said mobilising US and international support would be easier once that happens.
Mr Abadi's nomination has also been welcomed by the presidents of France and Turkey, but not by the incumbent prime minister Nouri Maliki.
Who is Haider al-Abadi?
Profile: Haider al-Abadi
Analysts say the nomination and subsequent endorsement of Mr Abadi is a public snub for Mr Maliki, whose State of Law coalition won the most seats in April's elections.
Mr Maliki has condemned the move to replace him, saying it was a "violation of the constitution", that would lead the country into a political crisis.
In a televised address, he added that he would "fix the mistake".