Iraq needs to help itself, US won't send military forces: Obama

Washington: President Barack Obama says Iraq's government must make a sincere effort to address sectarian differences, or else US military help won't succeed in curbing the insurgency there.

He says, quote, "We can't do it for them."

Obama says the US won't send troops back into Iraq. But he says he's asked his national security team to prepare a range of other options. He says he'll review those options in the coming days.

Obama says the risk posed by terrorists in Iraq could eventually pose a threat to US interests, too.

A fast-moving insurgency in Iraq has taken over key cities, raising fears Iraq is slipping back into sectarian chaos following the US withdrawal in 2011.

Obama spoke just before departing the White House en route to North Dakota.