Iraq PM-designate gains support

BAGHDAD, Aug 12, (agencies): Iraq's premier designate was gaining widespread support from countries hoping political reconciliation will undercut jihadists, as Iran Tuesday appeared to further dash Nuri al-Maliki's hopes of clinging to power.
Washington urged Maliki's successor, Haidar al-Abadi, to rapidly form a broad-based government able to unite Iraqis in the fight against jihadist-led militants who have overrun swathes of the country.
The United States, and other countries, said they were working to deliver much-needed arms to the Kurds, who are fighting the Islamic State (IS) on several fronts.
Abadi came from behind in a protracted and acrimonious race to become Iraq's new premier when President Fuad Masum Monday accepted his nomination and tasked him with forming a government.
He has 30 days to build a team which will face the daunting task of defusing sectarian tensions and, in the words of US President Barack Obama, convincing the Sunni Arab minority that IS "is not the only game in town".
"We are urging him to form a new cabinet as swiftly as possible and the US stands ready to support a new and inclusive Iraqi government and particularly its fight against ISIL (IS)," US Secretary of State John Kerry said in Sydney Tuesday.
He also reiterated Washington's stance that US air strikes launched last week were not a prelude to the reintroduction of American combat forces.