Iraq and Iran discuss need for global action against Islamic State

BAGHDAD - Iraqi's new prime minister Haider al-Abadi and visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Sunday discussed the need for international efforts to eliminate Islamic State, the group which has taken over large areas of Syria and Iraq.

Abadi's office said in a statement the prime minister stressed the dangers Islamic State posed to the region.

The advance of Islamic State through northern Iraq has alarmed the Baghdad government and its Western allies, drawing the first US air strikes in Iraq since US occupation forces pulled out in 2011.

The Sunni Muslim militant group sees Shi'ite Muslims as infidels who deserve to be killed and has driven thousands of non-Muslims from their homes.

Bombings across Iraq killed at least 35 people in attacks on Saturday that appeared to be revenge for an assault on a Sunni mosque that has deepened sectarian conflict.

Shi'ite Iran, a regional power broker, is likely to have influence over the formation of Iraq's new Shi'ite-led government.