Barack Obama reaches out to Australian PM Tony Abbott on Iraq

WASHINGTON: As part of his effort to build a global coalition against Islamic State militants in Iraq, US President Barack Obama has reached out to Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to discuss the current situation in the war-torn country.

Obama telephoned Abbott and thanked him for his contributions to humanitarian air drops in northern Iraq and logistics support for re-supply missions.

"The two leaders discussed the need to continue addressing both the ongoing humanitarian situation as well as the threat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ( ISIL) poses to Iraq and the broader region," the White House said.

Obama underscored that the US would continue to coordinate closely with Australia on ISIL and other national security priorities, it said.