Obama meets Iraqi PM, offers $200M in aid to help those displaced by Islamic State

Source: U.S.News & WORLD REPORT

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama pledged $200 million in humanitarian aid to Iraq Tuesday to help those displaced by Islamic State militants, an offer of assistance that appeared to fall short of the Iraqi prime minister's request for greater military support.

Obama made the financial commitment during an Oval Office meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the Oval Office.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the meeting, Obama said Iraqi forces are getting better equipped and trained since al-Abadi's election seven months ago. He also noted Iraq and a U.S.-led coalition have recovered about one-fourth of the territory the Islamic State had captured in the country.

However, Obama said the process of pushing back the militant group will be long and it was crucial for the U.S. to help support families who have been displaced by the militants.

Read more: http://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2015/04/14/iraqs-al-abadi-making-in-person-appeal-to-obama-for-help