IRAQI PM OPPOSES ARAB STRIKES IN HIS COUNTRY
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has told the BBC that he totally opposes Arab nations joining air strikes against Islamic State in his country.
In an interview, he said, Western air power had filled many gaps in Iraq’s fight against the group. Several Arab states, including Saudi Arabia and Jordan, have joined the international coalition against IS.
Their aircraft have carried out strikes in Syria, but only those from the US, UK and France have hit targets in Iraq.
Talking to news persons in Baghdad, Mr Abadi said, Iraq’s army would defeat IS if it has a good air cover but stressed that no foreign ground troops were needed.