ISIL changes its name and declares a "state" led by "al-Baghdadi"

who is wanted by the Iraqi authorities to be the "Caliph of Islam."

Iraq has accused al-Baghdadi for taking the lives of thousands of civilians by the bloody car bombings and assassinations often adopted by organization.

The spokesman for the organization named Abu Mohammed Adnani said in a recording posted on pro-organization sites seen by "Shafaq News" that “ISIL "decided to declare the establishment of the Islamic caliphate."

He noted that al-Baghdadi was chosen to be the ruler and the "Caliph of Islam everywhere."

"So the name of Iraq and the Levant will be cancelled from the name of the state in the trades and official transactions and will be limited to the name of the Islamic State from this statement."

Such a declaration - albeit a figurehead - may give a boost to the Iraqi government and strong international support for the prosecution of the organization. Many of the political leaders opposed to the policies of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki deny the existence of "ISIL."

The organization has lifted the militant black banner on most government institutions and mosques in Nineveh. It is difficult for journalists to enter Mosul.

ISIL has controlled large areas in the north and east of Syria, and was able to expand its spread during the past few weeks to large areas in northern and western Iraq, but the Iraqi forces regained the initiative and began cracking down on the organization and its allies.