WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden is condemning the actions of al-Qaida-inspired militants who kidnapped Turkish diplomats in Iraq. He says the United States is willing to support Turkish efforts to free the diplomats.

The White House says Biden spoke Wednesday with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (REH’-jehp TY’-ihp UR’-doh-wahn). Biden told the Turkish leader that the U.S. supports efforts by Iraqi and Kurdish forces to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militant group.