John Kerry ‘encouraged’ by Iraq reform plans

Meets new Iraq Prime Minister

Baghdad: US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Iraq's capital Baghdad on Wednesday for talks with Iraqi leaders for building up an anti-terrorism campaign, media reported.

Kerry met top Iraqi leaders, including new Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, to discuss forming a broad coalition against the Islamic State (IS) Sunni extremist organisation, an Al Qaeda offshoot, in Iraq and Syria, Xinhua reported citing state-run Iraqiya channel. 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. Meanwhile at least nine people died in a series of car bombs in east Baghdad.

After meeting 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".

Abadi said that, with IS crossing from Syria into Iraq, the international community had a responsibility to protect Iraq and the whole region.

Kerry's visit is part of his tour in the Middle East to consult with US partners and allies in a bid to seek support for the anti-terrorism coalition.

The security situation in Iraq has been worsening since June when armed Sunni insurgents, spearheaded by IS, launched a surprise offensive that led to the debacle of Iraqi security forces, and the fall of a large part of the country's northern and western territories.

Despite his reluctance to return to Iraq with ground troops, US President Barack Obama is now trying to build up a global coalition to root out the brutal jihadi group both in Iraq and Syria. While Washington continues with its airstrikes against Islamist militants in Iraq, the Obama administration is about to unveil its long-term strategy to defeat the IS.