Sunni Islamist insurgents seized control of Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul early on Tuesday in a spectacular show of strength against the Shi’ite-led government, which called on parliament to declare a state of emergency. The capture of Mosul by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) – an offshoot of al Qaeda – and its allies followed four days of fighting in the northern city and attacks in other towns. Residents said ISIL black flags and banners were flying on captured government buildings.