DHAKA: Several thousand civilians remain trapped by militants on a mountain in northern Iraq and need ‘life-saving assistance’.

The United Nations warns, reports the BBC.

Members of the Yazidi sect fled there 10 days ago after fighters from Islamic State (IS) seized the town of Sinjar.

The US has been conducting air strikes to help stem the rapid IS advance in the north of the country.

On Monday, Iraq’s president asked MP Haider al-Abadi to form a new cabinet, snubbing the incumbent PM Nouri Maliki.

Maliki called the nomination a ‘violation of the constitution’, but on Tuesday ordered security forces not to intervene in the political crisis.

In a statement published on his official website, Maliki said security forces should instead focus on defending the country,

Abadi’s appointment came after months of political infighting, which analysts say is partially to blame for Iraq’s inability to effectively fight the IS threat.

BDST: 2102 HRS, AUG 12, 2014