William Hague is in northern Iraq for talks with Kurdish leaders in an effort to rally opposition to Isis extremists threatening to overrun the country.
The UK foreign secretary announced on Twitter he had arrived in Erbil to meet Kurdish regional government leaders.
Mr Hague, who held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Thursday, has warned that the country is facing an "existential threat".
He has urged its political leaders to set aside sectarian differences.
The Iraqi authorities are desperately seeking to repel Sunni militants, led by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isis), which have taken control of parts of the north and west of the country.
The government has bought second-hand jet fighters from Russia and Belarus to try to stem the insurgents' advances.
'Practical support'The UK has ruled out any direct military help, focusing instead on providing diplomatic and humanitarian support as well as counter-terrorism co-operation.
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Hague said the UK would press for action at the United Nations to stem the flow of arms from insurgents and stop their access to finance.
He pledged to use "the full force of the law" to stop British citizens travelling to the region to join the fight.
"The Iraqi state faces an existential threat, and the growth and expansion of the area controlled by Isis will have huge ramifications for the future stability and freedom of this country and many other countries," he said.
He has appealed to Mr Maliki to form an "inclusive" government which can "command the support" of all Iraqis and to settle long-standing disputes with the semi-autonomous Kurdish region over energy and resources.
"All of these things will help to make an effective security response possible," he said.
"We believe that only a united government and real political unity in Iraq will be able to attract the strong practical support from the international community that would be of great help in ensuring the fight against terrorism is won and that their crimes are defeated."
Hague in talks with Kurdish leaders
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