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John Kerry 'encouraged' by Iraq reform plans Kerry vows to help Iraq defeat Islamic State militants
(about 1 hour later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry has said he is "encouraged" by new Iraqi PM Haidar al-Abadi's plans for political and military reform. US Secretary of State John Kerry has reassured Iraq's new leader that there will be an international strategy to defeat Islamic State (IS) militants.
The two men met as Mr Kerry started a Middle East tour to build support for action against Islamic State (IS). Mr Kerry, on a Middle East tour, said US President Barack Obama would outline the strategy later.
Mr Abadi formed a unity government less than 48 hours ago to meet US calls for inclusivity and fight the lightning advance by IS rebels in northern Iraq. He praised PM Haidar al-Abadi's plans to devolve powers to Iraq's minorities and reform the military.
Meanwhile at least nine people died in a series of car bombs in east Baghdad. IS overran the army in many parts of northern Iraq, and gained backing from some disaffected Sunnis
Meanwhile, at least nine people died in a series of car bombs in east Baghdad.
The explosions happened minutes apart in the Shia neighbourhood of New Baghdad. At least 25 others were injured.The explosions happened minutes apart in the Shia neighbourhood of New Baghdad. At least 25 others were injured.
US President Barack Obama is due to outline his plans to combat IS on Wednesday evening. Mr Kerry made an unannounced visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad at the start of a tour of Middle Eastern capitals aimed at boosting military, political and financial support for the fight against IS.
He said on Tuesday that he had authority to widen military action against IS without the approval of Congress, but added he would still ask politicians to endorse the arming of Syrian opposition forces. Mr Abadi asked for international support to defeat the "cancer" of IS.
IS militants have taken over large parts of Syria and Iraq in recent months and have declared a "caliphate". "Of course, our role is to defend our country, but the international community is responsible to protect Iraq," he said after meeting Mr Kerry.
The US diplomat promised that President Obama would make it clear later on Wednesday what his country planned to do "to take on this terrorist structure".
Mr Obama said on Tuesday that he had authority to widen military action against IS without the approval of Congress.
The US has already conducted dozens of air strikes on IS targets in the past month, in an effort to protect ethnic and religious minorities threatened by IS.The US has already conducted dozens of air strikes on IS targets in the past month, in an effort to protect ethnic and religious minorities threatened by IS.
IS militants described the beheadings of two US journalists as a retaliation against the strikes.IS militants described the beheadings of two US journalists as a retaliation against the strikes.
Saudis 'main target' Meanwhile, Saudi ambassador in London Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, rejected suggestions that his government was supporting or funding IS.
Mr Kerry made an unannounced visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad, at the start of a tour of Arab capitals aimed at boosting military, political and financial support for the fight against IS. He instead blamed a lack of international involvement for allowing the group to flourish.
After meeting Mr Abadi, the US Secretary of State said he was encouraged by the prime minister's "commitment to broad reforms that are necessary in Iraq to bring every segment of Iraqi society to the table". Where regional powers stand
Mr Abadi said that, with IS crossing from Syria into Iraq, the international community had a responsibility to protect Iraq and the whole region. Islamic State: What key countries think
"There is a role for the international community, for the United Nations ... and for the United States to act immediately to stop this threat," he said. Sadr criticism
Mr Kerry and Mr Abadi also discussed plans to reform Iraq's military and form an inclusive government.
Mr Abadi, a Shia, has promised to devolve more power to Sunnis and tackle the central government's relations with the Kurdish minority.
The US secretary of state said he was encouraged by the prime minister's "commitment to broad reforms that are necessary in Iraq to bring every segment of Iraqi society to the table".
Iraqi MPs approved members of Mr Abadi's new cabinet on Monday, paving the way for the creation of a new government.Iraqi MPs approved members of Mr Abadi's new cabinet on Monday, paving the way for the creation of a new government.
The US had insisted on the formation of an administration which did more to address the grievances of the Sunni and Kurdish minorities to allow the creation of a united front against IS.The US had insisted on the formation of an administration which did more to address the grievances of the Sunni and Kurdish minorities to allow the creation of a united front against IS.
The previous mostly Shia government of Nouri Maliki was considered to be too narrowly sectarian.The previous mostly Shia government of Nouri Maliki was considered to be too narrowly sectarian.
Powerful militant Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr appeared to criticise Mr Abadi for meeting Mr Kerry.Powerful militant Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr appeared to criticise Mr Abadi for meeting Mr Kerry.
"We wish for Iraq to co-operate with the neighbouring countries and its allies, but not with the occupiers," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency, referring to the recent US military presence in the country."We wish for Iraq to co-operate with the neighbouring countries and its allies, but not with the occupiers," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency, referring to the recent US military presence in the country.
Where regional powers stand
Islamic State: What key countries think
Meanwhile the Saudi ambassador in London, Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf, rejected suggestions that his government was supporting or funding IS.
"It is the lack of international involvement that has paved the way for terrorist-affiliated movements to breed within Syria, and now Iraq," he said in a statement.
"We have previously urged the international community to take an in-depth look at the financial backing and organisational structure of this terrorist organisation.
"Had this been carried out it would have been revealed that rather than being the instigator of such terrorist network Saudi Arabia is in fact the main target."
Mr Obama discussed his strategy to combat IS with leaders from Democrat and Republican parties at the White House on Tuesday. A spokesman said the talks were "productive".
The meeting with Congressional leaders came a year after lawmakers blocked Mr Obama's previous plans for missile strikes against Syria.
Mr Obama has ruled out the possibility of a US ground operation against IS but has signalled he may expand airstrikes to include Syria.
John Boehner, speaker of the House of Representatives and one of Mr Obama's chief political adversaries, told the president he would back a US military deployment to train and advise the Iraqi security forces and assist in the targeting of IS leaders, an aide to the House speaker said in a statement to the BBC.
According to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, a large majority of the American public views Islamic State as a serious threat to the US and widely supports air strikes in Iraq and Syria.