Iraq's President Fuad Masum (L), French President Francois Hollande (2ndL), French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (2ndR) and U.S. Secretary of States John Kerry (R) pose for a family photo during the International Conference on Peace and Security in Iraq, at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris September 15, 2014. REUTERS/Michel Euler/Pool

Islamic State Crisis: World Leaders Pledge Iraq Support -- BBC

Thirty countries have pledged to help Iraq fight Islamic State (IS) militants "by all means necessary".

A joint statement by foreign ministers taking part in a major conference in Paris talks said support would include "appropriate military assistance".

The talks had been called to agree a strategy to combat the group, which controls large parts of Iraq and Syria.

The conference followed a whirlwind tour of the Middle East by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Mr Kerry, who attended the summit, has been drumming up support for a plan of action unveiled by President Barack Obama last week.

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MIDDLE EAST

Washington wins diplomatic support for campaign in Iraq; Syria trickier .

Isis: leaders gather in Paris as UK edges towards military action .

Iraqi President: Iran should join anti-IS coalition .

US open to future talks with Iran on fighting Islamic State .

Iran dismisses US efforts against Islamic State as self-serving .

Report: Obama would retaliate if Syria shoots at US military flight s.

Hezbollah planning 'large raids' into Galilee, senior army source says .

Qatar expels prominent Muslim Brotherhood figures .

Saudi anti-Christian sweep prompts calls for US involvement .

ASIA

Thousands of activists stage 'black cloth' march in Hong Kong .

Philippine base for US ships draws mixed reactions amid China tensions .

Islamic militant's death sparks eulogies in Malaysia .

Australia will deploy military to help fight Islamic State: Reports .

Australia probes 'threats' against hospitals days after stepping up terror alert .

New Zealand PM deceiving public over spying claims, says Glenn Greenwald .

Disease threatens as Kashmir flood waters turn fetid .

N. Korea sentences US man to 6 years of hard labor .

AFRICA

UN peacekeepers to deploy in CAR .

Boko Haram commander reportedly killed in clash with Nigerian forces .

Rights group: Boko Haram subjects children to greater violence .

DRC rebel group wants assurances to hand over weapons .

Uganda police seize 'explosives from al-Shabab cell' .

Libya migrant boat sinks: Scores feared drowned . 200 migrants feared drowned after boat sinks off Libya coast.

Uganda authorities foil attempted terror attack, following US embassy warnings .

EUROPE

Heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine leaves six dead despite cease-fire .

Donetsk leader: Next prisoner swap with Kiev due ‘in about three days’ .

Kiev says NATO countries start supplying arms to Ukraine .

Pressure grows for Obama to arm Ukraine .

US leading peacekeeping drill in western Ukraine .

EU may revise anti-Russian sanctions within month .

Western sanctions are testing Russia's strength: Medvedev .

Cameron under pressure as Scotland vote nears . Scotland bets on North Sea oil, even as the wells start to run dry .

Sweden's Social Democrats face weak minority government . Sweden election: Social Democrats rule out far-right pact .

AMERICAS

U.S. to help train people to spot potential violent extremists .

Large majority of Americans lack confidence in Obama mission to destroy ISIS, poll shows .

We're Number 32! A new global index highlights the harm from the U.S. tax code .

Politics a family business for many U.S. candidates this ye ar.

Colombians object to deals that take criminals out of the country .

Record hurricane slams Mexico's Baja California resorts .

Edouard set to become first major 2014 Atlantic hurricane .

Miss New York crowned Miss America .

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Islamic State group's war chest is growing daily .

US investigating reports of American women recruited by Islamic State .

Nearly 1,000 Frenchmen join jihad, dozens of women and kids 'stopped en route' .

Splinter group breaks from al Qaeda in North Africa .

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

OECD sees global economy held back by slow eurozone .

Apple receives record pre-orders for new iPhones .

Microsoft to pay billions for Minecraft maker .

Conservationists hail global agreement to protect sharks .