US Vice President Joe Biden on Friday "strongly" urged the government of Iraq to ensure the safety of the civilian population in its "difficult" fight against terrorism.

In a conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki by phone Friday, Biden welcomed Iraq's ongoing initiatives to mobilize the population against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), an al-Qaida breakaway group in Iraq, the White House said.

The two leaders reaffirmed the long-term partnership between Iraq and the United States and their commitment to coordination in the fight against ISIL, which represents a threat to the entire region, the White House said in a statement.

Biden also congratulated the Iraqi people on their participation in the parliamentary elections, and emphasized the importance of a new parliament acting to pull the country together given the many challenges confronting Iraq.

Iraq is witnessing some of its worst violence in recent years. According to the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, 8,868 Iraqis, including 7,818 civilians and civilian police personnel, were killed last year, the highest annual death toll in years.