国际英语新闻:Iraq calls for closer anti-terror cooperation

BAGHDAD, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Thursday urged the Arab nations and the world to work even closer 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 is 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," Abadi said.

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," 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," Abadi said, referring to Jordan's support for Iraqi army.

For his part, Ensour confirmed that his country will support Iraq in its fight against the Islamic State.

Earlier in the day, Ensour arrived in Baghdad. He was expected to meet with Iraqi leaders over bilateral ties and international counter-terrorism efforts.

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

The United States is seeking to build an international coalition, which includes countries both from and outside the Middle East, in order to deter IS expansion, and to carry out airstrikes against the armed Islamist group in both Iraq and Syria.