John Kerry in Iraq: form new government

In a surprise visit to Iraq, US Secretary of State, John Kerry, has advised Nouri al-Maliki to form a new government where the opposition could hold more power.

Currently, al-Maliki governs a Shia administration but he pledges to form a new government by July 1.

However, things might not go as expected as the Kurdish leader in Iraq, Massoud Barzani, now seeks to gain formal independence from Iraq while the country continues to fall into Sunni insurgents’ control.

John Kerry pledged to help Iraq fight back insurgents and said that: ‘the support will be intense and sustained and if Iraq’s leaders take the necessary steps to bring the country together, it will be effective. It will allow Iraqi security forces to confrontISIL more effectively and in a way that respects Iraq’s sovereignty while also respecting America’s and the region’s vital interests.’

Meanwhile, Iraq has lost all border crossings to Jordan and Syria as the extremists expand their offensive.