Iraq's most senior Shia cleric has called on the people of Iraq to take up arms and defend the country against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis).
"Citizens who are able to bear arms and fight terrorists, defending their country and their people and their holy places, should volunteer and join the security forces to achieve this holy purpose," Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's representative Sheik Abdulmehdi al-Karbalai announced during Friday prayers in the city of Karbala.
Al-Sistani, the highest ranking Shia authority in Iraq, made the call to arms as Islamist militants continue to advance on Baghdad.
Security and local officials have reported clashes between Sunni insurgents and Shia militia at two different locations in the eastern province of Diyala.
Al-Sistani had earlier called for all of the country's political factions to unite against the insurgency in a statement released which condemned the capture of Nineveh province.
A United Nations spokesman has said that the Islamist group carried out summary executions of civilians and members of the Iraqi army in the northern city of Mosul which could run into the hundreds.
Iraq has begun to boost defences around the capital of Baghdad as militants edge closer to the heart of the country.
"We put in place a new plan to protect Baghdad," Brigadier General Saad Maan told AFP.
"The plan consists of intensifying the deployment of forces, and increasing intelligence efforts and the use of technology such as (observation) balloons and cameras and other equipment," Maan said.
The US and Iran have both pledged to assist Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki in his battle against the insurgency.
Iran have reportedly deployed two Revolutionary Guard units to Iraq while US President Barack Obama has said that he is looking at "all options" to help Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki thwart the militants.
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