Focus On Iraq as Kerry Meets Arab Counterparts in Paris | WPN World People News

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is continuing his focus on the crisis in Iraq as he meets Thursday in Paris with his counterparts from Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The State Department says the talks will include both the security situation in Iraq and the civil war in neighboring Syria.

U.S. officials have been urging Iraq to install a government that is inclusive of Iraq's Sunni and Kurdish minorities, as the country deals with a surge by Sunni Islamist militants. However, Kerry told reporters Wednesday that the U.S. is not interfering with the political process in Baghdad.

"It's up to Iraqis to make those decisions. We have stated clearly that we have an interest in a government that can unite Iraqis," said Kerry.

Iraqi leaders say they will meet a July 1 deadline for beginning to form the post-election government.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has rejected forming an emergency government, saying that would go against the country's constitution and the results of Iraq's April 30 parliamentary election.

Maliki's Shi'ite-led government has faced criticism of sidelining the minorities and breeding sectarian tensions. He called for unity in his address Wednesday.

The militants from the al-Qaida breakaway group called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have seized vast areas across northern and western Iraq.

The United States is sending up to 300 military advisers to help Iraq counter the militants. The first group of advisers began their mission Tuesday and more are scheduled to arrive in the next few days.

Source: Voice of America