This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28800854

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Iraq crisis: Emergency EU talks on arming Kurds Iraq crisis: EU condemns 'atrocities' by IS militants
(35 minutes later)
EU foreign ministers have held emergency talks on arming Iraq's Kurds against the advance of Islamic State (IS) militants in the north. EU foreign ministers have condemned "atrocities and abuses" against religious minorities in Iraq, with Germany warning it cannot stand by and watch people being "slaughtered".
Any decision would build on French and US moves to supply weapons to the Kurds, whose Peshmerga fighters provide a bulwark against the extremists. The emergency meeting in Brussels left it to individual states whether they would arm Iraq's Kurds against Islamic State (IS) militants in the north.
The Islamic State group's violence against religious minorities has driven out an estimated 1.2 million Iraqis. France and the US have already moved to supply the Kurds with arms.
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was flying to Iraq. IS violence has driven an estimated 1.2 million Iraqis from their homes.
He will meet Kurdish leaders and the government in Baghdad to discuss what support is most needed. After the talks, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was flying to Iraq to meet Kurdish leaders and the government in Baghdad to discuss what support is most needed.
"We cannot just watch as people are slaughtered there," he said after the foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. "If the current threat level persists, I can't rule out that we will have to deliver weapons.""We cannot just watch as people are slaughtered there," he said after the foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels. "If the current threat level persists, I can't rule out that we will have to deliver weapons."
Iraq has appointed a new prime minister to tackle the crisis. Haider al-Abadi, deputy speaker of the parliament, took over from his fellow Shia Muslim politician Nouri Maliki on Thursday, ending a dangerous political deadlock in Baghdad.Iraq has appointed a new prime minister to tackle the crisis. Haider al-Abadi, deputy speaker of the parliament, took over from his fellow Shia Muslim politician Nouri Maliki on Thursday, ending a dangerous political deadlock in Baghdad.
One of Iraq's most powerful Sunni tribal leaders, Haider al-Abadi, has reportedly said he is ready to work with the new prime minister if he protects the rights of Sunnis.
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's most influential Shia cleric, has already thrown his weight behind the new prime minister in Baghdad.
'People dying''People dying'
The emergency EU meeting was called by France, whose Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, criticised the EU for inaction on Iraq. In their statement, the EU foreign ministers said: "The EU remains seriously concerned about the deterioration of the security situation in Iraq, and condemns in the strongest terms the attacks perpetrated by [IS] and other associated armed groups.
"When there are people dying... you have to come back from your holidays," he told EU foreign policy chief Baroness Catherine Ashton in a letter earlier this week. "The EU also condemns the atrocities and abuses of basic human rights, in particular when committed against targeted religious minorities and most vulnerable groups."
About 20 ministers are discussing EU-wide approval to ship arms to the Kurds and the Iraqi army. The ministers called for such acts to be investigated as possible crimes against humanity.
They welcomed the "decision by individual Member States to respond positively to the call by the Kurdish regional authorities to provide urgently military material.
"Such responses will be done according to the capabilities and national laws of the Member States, and with the consent of the Iraqi national authorities."
The emergency EU meeting was called by France, whose foreign minister, Laurent Fabius, had criticised the EU for inaction on Iraq.
Military aid pledgesMilitary aid pledges
Several EU countries, as well as the US, have made drops of aid in northern Iraq in the past week.Several EU countries, as well as the US, have made drops of aid in northern Iraq in the past week.
The US has also engaged in limited air strikes against IS targets.The US has also engaged in limited air strikes against IS targets.
The governor of Dohuk province in northern Iraq, Farhad Atrushi, has said the US and UK are politically and ethically responsible for helping Iraq.The governor of Dohuk province in northern Iraq, Farhad Atrushi, has said the US and UK are politically and ethically responsible for helping Iraq.
Warning of the threat of "genocide", he told the BBC: "We have hundreds of thousands [of refugees]. We're going to face an international humanitarian catastrophe because many of these kids and children will die."Warning of the threat of "genocide", he told the BBC: "We have hundreds of thousands [of refugees]. We're going to face an international humanitarian catastrophe because many of these kids and children will die."
He said that Kurdish authorities needed at least two months and hundreds of millions of dollars to be able to provide shelter for Iraqi refugees.He said that Kurdish authorities needed at least two months and hundreds of millions of dollars to be able to provide shelter for Iraqi refugees.
Maliki resignsMaliki resigns
Mr Maliki's resignation on Thursday evening was welcomed by the UN and US.Mr Maliki's resignation on Thursday evening was welcomed by the UN and US.
The resignation brought an end to eight years of often divisive rule, when Mr Maliki's government was accused of favouring the Shia Muslim majority.The resignation brought an end to eight years of often divisive rule, when Mr Maliki's government was accused of favouring the Shia Muslim majority.
Mr Abadi is one of Iraq's most senior politicians, having held several high-profile posts since returning from exile in 2003.Mr Abadi is one of Iraq's most senior politicians, having held several high-profile posts since returning from exile in 2003.
He is regarded by some as a moderate within Mr Maliki's Dawa party, and has shown more of a willingness to compromise than his predecessor.He is regarded by some as a moderate within Mr Maliki's Dawa party, and has shown more of a willingness to compromise than his predecessor.
In a Facebook post, Mr Abadi urged Iraqis to unite in the face of "strong and dangerous challenges". He said he would be prepared to give up his life in defence of the nation.In a Facebook post, Mr Abadi urged Iraqis to unite in the face of "strong and dangerous challenges". He said he would be prepared to give up his life in defence of the nation.
The change in government comes as the Iraqi army proved unable to stop Islamist fighters from seizing vast areas in northern Iraq.The change in government comes as the Iraqi army proved unable to stop Islamist fighters from seizing vast areas in northern Iraq.
A UN Security Council meeting on Friday is expected to approve a resolution threatening sanctions against any country which finances or supports IS.A UN Security Council meeting on Friday is expected to approve a resolution threatening sanctions against any country which finances or supports IS.
Are you in the region? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk putting 'Iraq crisis' in the subject heading and including your contact details if you feel it is safe to do so.Are you in the region? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk putting 'Iraq crisis' in the subject heading and including your contact details if you feel it is safe to do so.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions