Danish FM in Iraq for talks with senior officials

The Danish foreign minister on Sunday pledged his country's financial and logistic support for the fight against Islamic State militants as he visited Iraq's capital.

Jeppe Kofod discussed bilateral ties with his Iraq counterpart Fuad Hussein, and the two agreed to deepen cooperation and strengthen ties between their countries.

"I am also glad to announce, to support Iraq, that Denmark will contribute an additional 50 million Danish kroner, $8.1 million, to the UN Funding Facility for Stabilization in Iraq and that Denmark will support upcoming elections in Iraq to the UN", Kofod said.

During his visit, Kofod is scheduled to meet with Iraq's president, parliament speaker, and the prime minister.

Iraq is still struggling to emerge from the chaos that followed the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

After the invasion, the temporary US-led administration disbanded the Iraqi army, leaving tens of thousands of trained personnel jobless and bitter.

Many took up arms, and while the insurgency waned the Islamic State group flourished.

IS has since been dislodged from much of the Iraqi territory that it once held, but the group still poses a threat and the Iraqi armed forces remain relatively weak.