Fierce fighting against Islamic State militants in Iraq sets the backdrop for a government scrambling for unity.<br /> <br />Some Sunni tribal fighters have sided with Islamic State, fueled by hatred after they felt marginalized by former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.<br /> <br />But perhaps Vice President Iyad Allawi's endorsement of Prime minister Haider al-Abadi will help ease Sunni-Shi'ite tensions.<br /> <br />He says he stands by the new Prime Minister's vision to bring more Sunnis into the government.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) IRAQI VICE PRESIDENT, IYAD ALLAWI, SAYING:<br /> <br />"I told (Abadi) we will be with him all the way if he moves along the right road to recovery.''<br /> <br />Allawi, a secular Shi'ite Muslim, has accused former premier Nuri al-Maliki of acting like Saddam Hussein.<br /> <br />Although now Prime Minister Abadi comes from the same political party as Maliki, he's regarded as more inclusive.<br /> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) IRAQI VICE PRESIDENT, IYAD ALLAWI, SAYING:<br /> <br />"What we need to do
