Obama commends Iraq PM's efforts against IS group

Barack Obama has commended the efforts of the new Iraqi prime minister to govern inclusively and build a united front to combat the Islamic State group.

The US president spoke to Haider al-Abadi in a telephone conversation on Thursday, according to a statement from the US presidential office.

It said the two leaders discussed "the political and security situation in Iraq and the progress of Iraqi Security Forces in their efforts to counter [the Islamic state group]".

Obama said he supported the Iraqi government's efforts to integrate Sunni tribal fighters into Iraq's security institutions, and restated his commitment to training Iraqi security forces, providing them with military advice, supplying them with equipment and continuing airstrikes against the IS.

Abadi's office said his government was "taking strides to recruit tribal members in the areas under IS control in order to liberate Diyala, Salaheddin, Anbar and Nineveh provinces".

It added the government was trying to end the abuses committed against Iraqis by criminal elements in the Shia "Popular Mobilisation Militia" and regular security forces.

Abadi added the militia and the army were achieving success against the IS, but requested that the international community provide more aid to fight the threat.

This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.