Kerry to meet with new Iraqi prime minister, urge more inclusion for Sunnis by Shiite-led govt
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Secretary of State John Kerry is in Baghdad for the first high-level U.S. meeting with Iraq's new prime minister.
In a short visit Wednesday, the top U.S. diplomat will urge Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to take quick steps to ease sectarian tensions in the Shiite-majority nation. Kerry also will offer help in fighting the Sunni-dominated Islamic State militancy that has overrun parts of northern Iraq and Syria.
Key to calming tensions are plans to give Iraq's law-abiding Sunnis more control over their local power structures and security forces instead of being dominated by Baghdad.
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It's hoped that will keep Iraqi Sunnis from joining the Islamic State group in defiance of the Shiite-led government.
Kerry's visit falls on the eve of a U.S.-Arab nation meeting on defeating Islamic State militants.