Iraq attacks: UN's Ban Ki-moon urges 'international solidarity'

The United Nations Secretary-General has condemned attacks in Iraq by Islamist militants, who have overrun two major cities, Mosul and Tikrit.

Ban Ki-moon urged the international community to unite and show solidarity with Iraq.

The UN also said the humanitarian situation around Mosul, where up to 500,000 people have fled, was "dire and is worsening by the moment".