Exclusive- Governor of Iraq's Sunni heartland secures U.S. support against militants

An F/A-18F Super Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-213) (R) and an F/A-18C Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-15) prepare for take off onboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the Gulf August 13, 2014. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The governor of Iraq's Sunni heartland Anbar Province said he has asked for and secured U.S. support in the battle against Islamic State militants because opponents of the group may not have the stamina for a long fight.

Ahmed Khalaf al-Dulaimi told Reuters his request, made in meetings with U.S. diplomats and a senior military officer, included air support against the militants who have a tight grip on large parts of Anbar and the north.