Iraq's Al-Abadi making in-person appeal to Obama for help
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi is making an in-person appeal to President Barack Obama on Tuesday for more help defeating the Islamic State militants, hoping recent gains in the fight will encourage more investment from a war-weary United States.
Seven months after al-Abadi's election raised hope in Washington for Iraq's future, he's making his first visit to the White House. Al-Abadi told reporters Monday that the increase in US airstrikes, weapons deliveries and training has helped roll back Islamic State forces, but he needs greater support from the international coalition to "finish" them. "We want to see more," he said.
The White House signaled that more aid could be coming. Last week, Vice President Joe Biden touted momentum in the fight against the Islamic State group, and White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Monday, "If there are specific ideas that Prime Minister Abadi has for stepped-up assistance, then we'll obviously consider them seriously."
