UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday welcomed the recent release of Turkish hostages held by Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq.

Ban is relieved that the Turkish men, women and children, freed on Friday, are now home safe and sound at the end of a "three- month ordeal," according to a statement issued here by his spokesperson.

"The secretary-general reiterates his call for the immediate release of all hostages in the region and reminds parties that kidnapping is a gross violation of human rights and humanitarian law," the statement said.

A group of IS armed fighters took control of the Turkish consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on June 11, and abducted 49 people including the consul general, staff and their family members. Endite

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