EU ministers have convened in Brussels to seek unanimous approval for the shipment of arms to Iraqi Kurds fighting Islamic State jihadists, as Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi was holding talks in Baghdad on forming a new government.
France and Britain have already moved ahead with plans to provide weapons to beleaguered Iraqi forces, but French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius pushed for the talks to mobilise an EU-wide response to the crisis in Iraq.
"I asked for this meeting so that all of Europe mobilises and helps the Iraqis and Kurds," Fabius said as he arrived for the talks.
Italy, which currently holds the EU's rotating leadership and whose foreign minister Federica Mogherini is shortlisted to become the next EU foreign affairs chief, also called for talks.
"The Kurds need our support," she said as she arrived at the meeting.
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"It is important for us for there to be a European agreement," she added.
Defence matters are strictly the purview of member states and the push for an EU stance to send arms to a conflict zone is a rare one.
But alarming images of Iraqi minorities, including Christians, under siege by jihadists have struck chords in European capitals.
EU governments are also alarmed by the Islamic State's ability to attract radicals from Europe who then return home battle-hardened.
Ahead of Friday's meeting, support for a strong message on arming Iraq was growing, even from member states historically less inclined to back military adventures abroad.
Usually cautious Germany this week pledged to work "full-speed" on the supply of "non-lethal" equipment such as armoured vehicles, helmets and flak jackets to Iraq.
Germany is a major arms manufacturer and going into the meeting, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier seemed ready to boost German action despite the country's own restrictions that limit arms exports into raging conflicts.
"Europeans must not limit themselves to praising the courageous fight of the Kurdish security forces. We also need to do something first of all to meet basic needs," he said.
Sweden, which is usually reluctant to participate in military missions, stressed however that the EU's "great power is in its humanitarian response".
"Other countries have power to do other things," said Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.
In Baghdad, meanwhile, Abadi was consulting the country's various political factions after outgoing premier Nuri al-Maliki withdrew his bid for a third term in office.
The move could help end months of political wrangling in Baghdad as Islamic State jihadists strengthen their hold on swathes of northern and western Iraq.
Abadi was asked to form a new government by President Fouad Massoum on Monday and has 30 days to present his line up to the parliament.
A source close to Abadi said the new prime minister wants to form a unity cabinet, "without excluding any group," so that it can tackle the IS threat and the increasing number of refugees.
