WASHINGTON
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry discussed combat against Islamic State militants with the Secretary General of the Arab League Nabil Elaraby ahead of the Arab League summit Sunday.
According to a senior U.S. State Department official, they discussed the need for the Arab League and its members to take a strong position in the coalition that is developing against the Islamic State, or IS.
Kerry underscored the importance of decisive action to stop the flow of foreign fighters, to counter the financing of the IS, and to combat its incitement, in his phone call with Elaraby.
He also noted that fighting IS militants would require "a holistic approach" that will take time, persistence; and require combining military, law enforcement, intelligence, and both economic and diplomatic tools.
"Both leaders also recognized that Iraq is on the front line in the war against the ISIL -- Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant -- and that Iraq, the United States, the region, and the international community must stand together to assist Iraq in facing this threat," said the senior official, using an alternative abbreviation for the militant group.
In addition, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke with the leader of the Iraqi Kurdistan regional administration, Masoud Barzani.
According to a statement from the White House, the Bİden and Barzani discussed the ongoing efforts to complete the formation of the Iraqi government.
"The vice president emphasized the urgency of work to put in place a new government as quickly as possible," the statement said.
Armed groups linked to the IS, formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, have captured large amounts of territory in Iraq in recent months, forcing thousands of Iraqis including Turkmen, Arabs and Ezidis to flee.
The United States has conducted a total of 133 airstrikes across Iraq on IS targets since President Barack Obama authorized the military to carry out an air campaign in early August.
However, as the insurgent groups have bases in Syria and recruit foreign fighters from dozens of countries including several western countries, both the U.S. and European powers have been in search of a global and regional coalition to fight and uproot the IS threat in the Middle East.
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