A pair of conjoined twins have won the "battle of their lives" after they were successfully separated.

Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf are in intensive care in a stable condition following a 14-hour operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, according to surgeon Edward Kiely.

Their parents Angie and Azzedine Benhaffaf said: "The sun is shining today for our two little fighters, who have won the battle of their lives."

Mr and Mrs Benhaffaf, from east Cork in Ireland, added: "Words cannot express the relief and love we feel for our two boys.

"We thank God, we thank the surgeons and the gifted team at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and we thank from the bottom of our hearts the Irish nation and everyone who prayed for our beloved twins.

"We are so proud of the courage and strength that Hassan and Hussein have shown, and they both have made the world a much better place with them in it."

Mr Kiely, consultant paediatric surgeon at the hospital, said: "The twins are in intensive care and are sedated but stable. We are pleased with how the operation went."

The twins were born in December at University College London Hospital.