WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement about the situation in Iraq:

“This afternoon, Vice President Biden briefed me along with several other lawmakers on the situation in Iraq. I am deeply concerned, and reports on the ground all point to a rapidly deteriorating crisis. I urge the Maliki government to engage with Sunni and Kurdish leaders, and to look for a solution that will allow all people in Iraq to live side-by-side in peace and security.

“At the same time, the United States needs to stand with our Iraqi partners to stop the violent extremism that is raining terror down upon the people of Iraq and further destabilizing the entire region.

“Going forward, I hope the Administration continues to work closely with Congress to determine next steps.”

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