UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is strongly condemning the kidnapping of Turkey’s consul general and “many” diplomats in Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul, which has been largely overrun by al-Qaida-inspired militants.

The U.N. chief told a meeting on counter-terrorism Wednesday he was “shocked” to learn of the kidnappings by “terrorists.”

He urges the Iraqi government, regional countries and the international community to do everything possible to secure the safe release of the diplomats and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“This is totally unacceptable,” Ban said.

He reiterated his statement Tuesday condemning the attacks on Mosul.

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