John Kerry: 'Iraq's future depends on choices of next days'

"The very future of Iraq depends on choices that will be made in the next days and weeks," according to US Secretary of State John Kerry.

On Monday he discussed the crisis with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, and also met key Shia and Sunni figures.

Mr Kerry later vowed "intense, sustained" support saying: "If Iraq's leaders take the steps needed to bring the country together it will be effective."