Iraqi leader asks US for more air power, weaponry

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday that his army is taking the offensive against the Islamic State group but needs more air power and heavy weaponry to prevail.<br /> <br /> Hagel, who flew to Baghdad to get a first-hand report on progress against the Islamic State militants, was holding a series of meetings with top Iraqi government officials and conferring with American military commanders.<br /> <br /> He met with al-Abadi at the prime minister's office after making remarks to a group of U.S. and Australian soldiers at Baghdad International Airport.<br /> <br /> Al-Abadi told Hagel as their meeting began that "Daesh (Islamic State) is on the descent at the moment." He said their capabilities had been reduced.<br /> <br /> "We are very thankful for the support that's been given to us," al-Abadi said. "Our forces are very much advancing on the ground. But they need more air power and more ... heavy weaponry. We need that."<br /> <br /> U.S. officials assert that the Iraqis' biggest need is competent military leadership, not additional military hardware.

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