Islamic cultural organ congratulates Iraq on victory over IS

RABAT, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) congratulated on Monday Iraq on its victory over the terror group Islamic State (IS).

In a statement, ISESCO Director General Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri described the elimination of the terror organization in Iraq as "a great achievement and the fruit of dear sacrifices and sustained efforts."

Moreover, Altwaijri hoped that the Iraqi people would achieve security, peace, development and prosperity through solidarity and unity of all their citizens.

On Saturday night, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi officially declared full liberation of Iraq from IS after the security forces recaptured all the areas once seized by the extremist group.

"I announce to the Iraqi people and all the world that our forces have reached the last redoubts of Daesh (IS) and have raised the Iraqi flag over areas of western Anbar (province) which was the last occupied land by IS," Abadi said in a televised speech.

But Abadi warned Iraqis to "remain alert and ready to confront any terrorist attempt that may target our people and our land," despite the victory over IS after a three-year war. Enditem