Bishop offers help to Iraqi govt

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has spoken to her new Iraqi counterpart, assuring him Australia remains willing to contribute further to combating extremist groups terrorising the nation.

Ms Bishop on Wednesday congratulated Dr Ibrahim Al Ja'afari on his appointment as foreign minister and the formation last month of Iraq's new government.

The new administration - headed by Haider al-Abidi - faces an enormous task repelling the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIL) group from the north of the country, but could soon have even greater assistance from the international community.

US President Barack Obama is set to outline in a major speech on Thursday how a new international coalition will seek to destroy Islamic extremists and deal with the threat of returning foreign fighters.

Ms Bishop updated her counterpart on the steps Australia had taken to combat IS, including aid drops to desperate civilians and arms deliveries to the Kurdish army.

"I also indicated Australia's willingness to contribute further to international efforts to support the Iraqi government in combating ISIL," Ms Bishop said in a statement.

She also called for Iraq's government to be inclusive and bring together all communities to disrupt the terrorist groups destabilising the nation.