U.S. says forms "core coalition" to counter Iraq militants

NEWPORT Wales (Reuters) - The United States said it had created a "core coalition" on Friday to battle Islamic State militants in Iraq, calling for broad support from allies and partners around the world but ruling out committing ground forces.

President Barack Obama sought to use a NATO summit in Wales to enlist allied support in a campaign to destroy the Islamist militants but as the summit drew to a close it remained unclear how many nations might join Washington in air strikes.