France, Britain, US pledge support to Iraq

World Today

The international community is coming to the aid of Iraq’s Kurds as they confront a threat from Islamic State militants.

France says it will arm Kurdish forces, who are also getting military equipment from the United States. Britain says it will help rescue thousands of minority Yazidis trapped by the militants.

Associated Press Bureau Chief Vivian Salama reports on these developments and a brewing political crisis in Baghdad.

Iran and U.S. side with al-Abadi in leadership dispute

The international community is coming to the aid of Iraq's Kurds as they confront a threat from Islamic State militants.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, supported the newly-nominated Iraqi Prime Minister on Wednesday while addressing Iran’s Foreign Ministry officials, and said he hoped this appointment would help resolve Iraq’s political turmoil.

Khamenei has final say over all state matters in Iran.

Iraqi President Fouad Massoum on Monday selected Haidar al-Abadi, the deputy speaker of parliament from Nouri al-Maliki’s Shiite Dawa party, to be the new prime minister.

He has 30 days to present a new government to lawmakers for approval.

Report compiled with information from The Associated Press.