Iraq calls for closer anti-terror cooperation

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Thursday urged Arab nations and the world to work even more closely with Baghdad in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

Abadi made the statement at a joint press conference with his Jordanian counterpart Abdullah Ensour, who is on an official visit to Baghdad.

He said the IS was not only a threat to Iraq, but also to the entire Middle East.

"There is need for further cooperation to fight the IS group, which still threatens Iraq and the region despite progress by Iraqi security forces backed by the international coalition," Xinhua quoted Abadi as saying.

Abadi also said that the Iraqi security forces intend to regain control of Iraq's western province of Anbar, which stretches to the Jordanian border, so that the two countries can undertake joint projects that serve their common interests.

"The Iraqi security forces have succeeded in several provinces," Abadi said, adding that Anbar and Nineveh are the last two provinces under the control of the terror group.

"Arming and training by Iraq's allies, including Jordan, will contribute in freeing areas that are still controlled by IS militants," the Iraqi prime minister said, referring to Jordan's support for the Iraqi army.

On his part, Ensour confirmed that his country would support Iraq in its fight against the IS.

Ensour is expected to meet Iraqi leaders over bilateral ties and international counter-terrorism efforts.

Ensour's visit has come during some of the worst violence Iraq has seen in years, as terrorist attacks and clashes with the IS militant group threaten to divide the country.