Biden: US Supports Iraq’s Fight Against al-Qaida

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden says the United States continues to support Iraq in its fight against al-Qaida-linked militants.

The White House says Biden spoke by telephone Sunday with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (NOO'-ree ahl-MAHL'-ih-kee).

Car bombings and shootings killed 13 people across Iraq on Sunday, and clashes between security forces and al-Qaida-linked militants continued in the contested western province of Anbar. Iraq's al-Qaida branch, known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, has taken over parts of the Anbar capital Ramadi and controls the center of the nearby city of Fallujah.

Biden commended al-Maliki's government for its efforts to integrate tribal forces fighting al-Qaida into Iraqi security forces, and to provide compensation for those injured and killed fighting the militants.