Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi says talks on forming a new government have been constructive.<br/> <br />(Natsot Al-Abadi)<br/> <br />but with sectarian tensions and Islamic State militants threatening to tear the country apart, most Iraqis are looking for action.<br/> <br />Abadi comes to power amid an escalation of efforts to crush the militants in northern Iraq.<br/> <br />Ongoing Iraqi and U.S. airstrikes on IS targets north of Mosul are aimed at turning the tide, and reclaiming territory captured over the past several weeks,.<br/> <br />And in the dying days of HIS leadership, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki says he's determined to rid the country of IS.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) OUTGOING IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NURI AL-MALIKI, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Our goal is to purge Iraq from the filthiness of this dirty gang."<br/> <br />Islamic State has exacerbated Sunni-Shi'ite tensions in the country, raising fears of a relapse into civil war. Sectarian car bombings are now a common occurrence in the capital.
