Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki said on Wednesday his country’s future depended on continued US commitment, telling a joint session of Congress that the “fate of our country and yours is tied”, and that it is “your duty and our duty to defeat this terror”.

The 30-minute speech, punctuated by respectful applause and a few standing ovations, was light on substantive reports of progress or details about how sectarian violence would be reduced.