“The capability of the Iraqi army and police is sufficient to counter the Takfiri (extremist) and terrorist forces,” Marziyeh Afkham said in a press conference on Wednesday.

She also expressed the hope that Iraq could weather the crisis and overcome terrorism through solidarity between the government and nation.

Her comments came after the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants on Monday seized the Iraqi city of Mosul.

Hundreds of rebels launched an assault on the city, 350km north of Baghdad, engaging in combat with troops and police.