Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah says the militant group will pull out of Iraq once Islamic State has been defeated.

Speaking in a televised address on Monday, Mr Nasrallah said his Iran-backed group was close to achieving victory over the so-called caliphate after its fighters lost control of Rawa - its last urban stronghold in the country.

Hezbollah has stationed advisers as well as commanders in Iraq, assisting Shia militias in their war against IS, and Mr Nasrallah said that they would pull out once Baghdad confirms IS is beaten.

"If there is no need for them in Iraq anymore, we will withdraw them and send them to areas where they are needed," Mr Nasrallah said.

He appeared to mock assertions from the West that it would take time to defeat IS, claiming that his forces had helped achieve it in a matter of months. He described the success as "mission accomplished".


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Hezbollah still has thousands of fighters in Syria, helping to defeat IS in Boukamal on the border with Iraq recently.

Mr Nasrallah also used his latest speech to belittle the Arab League, describing its recent statement accusing Hezbollah of being a "terrorist organisation" as "expected but unfortunate".

Regional tensions have escalated in recent weeks, but Mr Nasrallah denied sending any weapons to other Middle East flash points, and any involvement in the firing of a missile from Yemen into Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

But regarding Lebanon - still reeling from the resignation of its Prime Minister - Mr Nasrallah said he remained committed to protecting the country's people from "Israeli threats".

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He said Arab League nations could not be relied upon to provide protection to Lebanon, which marks the 74th anniversary of its independence on Wednesday.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun met with Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit on Monday.

Mr Gheit said: "No one can accept, or want, any harm to happen to Lebanon. Lebanon has a special character, a particular and special structure. The League recognises this."