The United States and Iran voiced support for Iraq's Prime Minister-elect Haider al-Abadi on Tuesday as he called on political allies to unite efforts against the war.

Abadi, who is seen by many as a far less polarizing figure than Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, has already gained widespread support, but still faces opposition, most notably from Maliki who refuses to step down as premier after eight years in office.

Like Us on Facebook

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who warned Maliki on Monday against the use of force to remain in power, said on Tuesday that Washington could consider sending economic and military aid to Iraq once Abadi has established a unity government in the region, Reuters has learned.

While Kerry reiterated that U.S. troops would not be sent to join the fighting, a Pentagon statement said additional military staff was deployed to Iraq on Tuesday to assist the thousands of civilians still trapped in Mount Sinjar.

Since June, the U.S. has reportedly sent 700 of its military personnel to Iraq primarily to protect its diplomats and to monitor Iraq's military defenses.

Like the West, Iran has grown concerned over Sunni militants' offensive in Iraq and Syria and expressed support for the Prime Minister-elect.

Ali Shamkhani, Iran's secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, congratulated Abadi on his nomination during a diplomatic meeting on Tuesday, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said it supported Iraq's political action for a reformed government, referring to the general elections, it held in April and the consequent choices for a new Parliament Speaker, President and Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, tensions over Maliki's threat to use force in opposition to Abadi eased on Tuesday as he called on the Iraqi military to stop interfering in the political crisis.

Military presence in the streets of Iraq also seemed to have reduced, much to the relief of the locals.

TagsNuri al-Maliki, Iraq elections, Haider al-Abadi, John Kerry, Iraq government, Iraq conflict, jihad, US, Iran