Kerry in Baghdad to meet Iraq leaders as insurgency spreads

US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Baghdad where he will urge Iraqi Prime Minister to form a more inclusive government. Iraq is Shi-ite led with little input from Sunnis or Kurds. Kerry’s visit comes after Sunni militant group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took strongholds along the border with Syria over the weekend. Washington has noted dissatisfaction with Maliki’s leadership among Sunnis, Kurds and some Shi’ites. Kerry has said the US wanted Iraqis to “find a leadership…prepared to be inclusive and share power.” The United States believes ISIL’s push towards Baghdad has been slowed, but the capture of border crossings was of concern. Last week, ISIL seized control of Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul, forcing around 500,000 people to flee their homes. Kerry says he will discuss actions underway to help Baghdad as it fights this militant advance, and he’ll press Iraq’s leaders to quickly form a new government that represents the interests of all Iraqis.