Barack Obama calls Saudi king Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to discuss on Iraq and ISIL

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has called Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud to discuss the current situation in Iraq and the threat being posed by ISIL, the White House said.

ISIL or Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (alternatively translated as Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham) have gained control over parts of Iraq and Syria and have declared the areas as Islamic State.

"The two leaders discussed the current situation in Iraq, and the threat that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) poses to the stability of Iraq and to the entire region," the White House said yesterday after the call between the two leaders.

Obama and the Saudi King reaffirmed the need for Iraq's leaders to move expeditiously to form a new government capable of uniting all of Iraq's diverse communities.

"The President thanked the King for Saudi Arabia's pledge of USD 500 million dollars to help alleviate the suffering of all Iraqis who have been displaced by the violence. The two leaders agreed to continue to consult closely on regional developments," the White House said.