Challenges remain after Mosul liberation: UN envoy

By Canberk Yuksel

NEW YORK (AA) - The path to conclusively defeat Daesh is fraught with difficulties despite a major victory in Mosul, the United Nations' special envoy on Iraq said Monday.

"The historic liberation of Mosul should not conceal the fact that the road ahead is an extremely challenging one," Jan Kubis told the Security Council. "Daesh's ultimate defeat can only be secured through inclusive solutions, addressing the grievances, needs and aspirations of the Iraqi people."

The envoy said the government "will have to do everything possible" to re-establish the security and dignity of its people so that the military victory against Daesh in Iraq's second largest city can be consolidated.

As for the Sept. 25 independence referendum in the Kurdish regional government in the north, Kubis said Baghdad and Erbil need to start negotiations on critical issues, which include the distribution of oil and oil revenues, as well as the status of disputed territories, including Kirkuk.

Mosul was captured by Daesh that overran vast swathes of territory in northern and western Iraq in 2014.

The Iraqi army, backed by a U.S.-led air coalition, had been battling the terror group since October to dislodge it from Mosul, its last stronghold in northern Iraq.

Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi formally declared victory in Mosul on July 10.