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France to host meeting on Iraq to discuss post-Mosul offensive: FM

Xinhua, October 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

France will host a ministerial-level meeting on Thursday to discuss the future of Mosul, the Islamic State's last Iraqi stronghold, after international coalition launched a major offensive to uproot the group, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault announced Tuesday.

"There is a need to anticipate, to prepare for the day after and the stabilization of Mosul after the military battle," Ayrault was quoted as saying by local media.

"We must win the war but also examine everything that can help to win peace. What will happen after? We must set up administration, and prepare stabilization," he added.

Speaking to French diplomatic press, the French minister stressed that once IS is defeated, Iraqi authorities must develop a stabilization plan for Mosul and the region, protect civilians in the northern Iraqi city and provide humanitarian aid.

The French top diplomat warned that a defeat in Iraq would likely push militants to retreat to their Syrian stronghold of Reqqa.

"The coalition have to assume its responsibilities. After Mosul, it's Raqqa and skipping that would be a serious mistake," Ayrault said. "We can't let the Islamic State reconstitute itself or strengthen to create an even more dangerous hub," he added.

Twenty countries including the United States, Turkey, Gulf states and European allies will take part in the meeting on Oct. 20.

Coalition defense ministers will meet in Paris next Tuesday to assess progress of the military operation.

France was one of the first European countries to join the U.S.-led coalition against IS. Its fighter jets started bombing the group in Iraq in 2014.

On Sunday, Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the start of an offensive to retake Mosul, the capital of Islamic State's so-called caliphate in Iraq.

Mosul, some 400 km north of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, has been under IS control since June 2014, when Iraqi government forces abandoned their weapons and fled, enabling IS militants to take control of parts of Iraq's northern and western regions. Endit