Lloyd Austin of US Central Command (CENTCOM) visited Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan, to discuss with Iraqi leaders a plan to liberate Anbar province from Islamic State group's control.
Salahuddin police are back in charge of security in the Iraqi province after Popular Mobilisation militia withdrew, with local tribes saying they would cooperate with the force to maintain security.
Analysis: The Iraqi army and militias supporting it cannot hold off the Islamic State group, leading many within the ruling National Alliance to soften positions towards a US ground intervention.
Iraqi leaders agree to pressure political blocs not to obstruct legislative measures needed to implement PM Abadi's reforms, including the controversial national guard law.
Former Iraqi Vice President Ayad Allawi, the National Coalition and al-Iraqiya alliance, have criticised PM Abadi's reforms and demanded that the government implements the political agreement document.
There is skepticism surrounding Prime Minister Abadi's much-vaunted 'reform programme', with analysts believing it falls short of real reform and is little more than a move to absorb popular anger
Displaced Iraqis from Diyala have been prevented from not only from returning to their home province by Iraqi militias but are also reportedly barred from protesting their treatment.
