IS Defeat In Mosul 'Imminent'

The so-called Islamic State (IS) will be defeated in the Iraqi city of Mosul within the next few hours, according to state television.

A journalist said only a few metres remain to be taken, after it was previously reported that the pockets of IS-held Mosul now measure less than a square kilometre.

Some Iraqi government forces have been seen dancing in the streets and shooting in air, although military chiefs have not yet confirmed the news.

Iraqi security forces backed by US-led airstrikes have been trying to retake Iraq's second largest city since October last year, after IS militants overran it in 2014.

Humanitarian groups have repeatedly suspended operations in and around Mosul due to security concerns since the fight to retake the city from IS began last October.

It comes as a ceasefire is set to go into effect on Sunday in south-west Syria, as part of a renewed effort to stem the six-year civil war there.

The United States and Russia struck an agreement for the ceasefire as President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin met in Hamburg, Germany.

It's the first US-Russian effort under Mr Trump's presidency aimed at the conflict in Syria. The nation of Jordan is also involved in the agreement.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the aim is to reduce violence in an area of Syria near Jordan's border that is critical to that country's security.

Officials said the deal had been in the works for some time, but came together in time for the Trump-Putin meeting.