Biden stresses backing for Iraqi Government

WASHINGTON, June 19 (KUNA) -- US Vice President Joe Biden has affirmed Washington's support for the Iraqi Government in confronting Islamic militants threatening its authority noting necessity for a strategy to "enlist local communities in the fight" against the extremists.
Biden held separate phone calls with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, Council of Representatives Speaker Osama Al-Nujaifi, and President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani in which he reinforced US support for the Iraqi government and their "common fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL).
In a statement released by the White House Wednesday, "The Vice President discussed the security situation, the U.S. assistance currently being provided to Iraqi security forces, and additional measures that could be taken under the Strategic Framework Agreement." With Maliki he emphasized the USآ’ "solidarity with all Iraqi communities in the fight against ISIL, discussed the steps required to roll back the terroristsآ’ advances, and made clear the central importance of embedding security measures within a broader strategy to enlist local communities in the fight against the ISIL." Moreover, Biden "underscored that the United States stands ready to enhance our support to all Iraqis in their fight against ISIL" and asked Maliki "to govern in an inclusive manner, promote stability and unity among Iraq's population, and address the legitimate needs of Iraq's diverse communities." With speaker Nujaifi, Biden offered, "his personal sympathies for the killing and destruction in the Speakerآ’s home province of Ninewa" and "steps required to mobilize the population against ISIL, and the importance of keeping the constitutional process on track following the April 30 national elections." Biden noted to Barzani, "the shared nature of the ISIL threat, the importance of closer security coordination between Kurdish forces and Iraqi Security Forces, and the vital role for the Kurds in the national political process, as defined in the Iraqi constitution." With all of the leaders, the Vice President, "stressed the need for national unity in responding to the ISIL threat against all Iraqi communities, for coordination on security issues going forward, and for moving forward with urgency in forming a new government under the constitution." Biden also stressed to them, "the broad participation last night in Baghdad by leaders of all national communities, and the unanimous statement declaring ISIL "an enemy of all Iraqis." He affirmed to the three that they must ensure, "that any citizen volunteering to protect their local community should do so through existing laws and security institutions." (end) ak.rk