Iraq crisis LIVE: Prez asks Haidar al-Abadi to form new govt, Obama calls it 'promising step'

Zee Media Bureau/ Neha Attre
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday urged Iraqi prime minister-designate Haidar al-Abadi to quickly form an inclusive government, while ruling out sending US combat troops to the country, the AFP reported. 

German airline Lufthansa has said that the suspension of its flights to the northern Iraqi city of Erbil will continue due to security reasons. 

The US President said that even though US air strikes were successful in preventing the advance of Islamic militants, only a united Iraqi government will be able to control the situation in the country. 

US President Barack Obama calls it as a “promising step forward” for the country that is battling insurgency and facing political crisis.

Outgoing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has called the move “violation of the Constitution” and rejected the nomination, the BBC reported. 

Iraqi President Fuad Masoum has asked Deputy Speaker Haidar al-Abadi to form the country's next government.