U.S. says forms "core coalition" to counter Iraq militants

The United States said on Friday it was forming a "core coalition" to battle Islamic State militants in Iraq, calling for broad support from allies and partners but ruling out committing ground forces.      

"We need to attack them in ways that prevent them from taking over territory, to bolster the Iraqi security forces and others in the region who are prepared to take them on, without committing troops of our own," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told a meeting of 10 nations.       

"Obviously I think that's a red line for everybody here: no boots on the ground."       

The defense and foreign ministers of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, Turkey, Italy, Poland and Denmark met on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Wales to discuss a strategy for addressing the Sunni militant group that has taken over swathes of Iraqi and Syrian territory.

On Thursday, the top Senate Republican said President Barack Obama can expect bipartisan support in Congress if he offers a "credible plan" to go after Islamic State militants.    

Some lawmakers contend that Obama should seek congressional authorization for airstrikes in Iraq against the Sunni militants. However, it is not clear whether such a vote would take place this month or whether he needs Congress to approve the limited actions already under way.       

Obama "needs to come forward with a plan" for dealing with the Islamic State, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told Reuters in an interview in Kentucky, where is campaigning for re-election.          

"I think the Congress is anxious to see what the president thinks we ought to do about this," McConnell said.         

"My guess is it will require some kind of authorization from us, maybe some kind of funding, and I think if it's a credible plan to go after these killers, he's very likely to be supported on a bipartisan basis," added McConnell, a fierce critic of Obama.