'Two little fighters' back home

THE parents of conjoined twin boys have taken their babies home from hospital for the first time.

Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf, described by their family as "two little fighters", were born at University College Hospital, London, last month.

After being cared for at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and Cork University Maternity Hospital, in the Irish Republic, the twins arrived home in East Cork.

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Their parents, Azzedine and Angie, paid tribute to the twins – who are expected to undergo surgery in the coming months. "We very much appreciate the positive response to our request for privacy from the media and the public, but we also know that there is genuine interest in the progress of our two little fighters," the couple said.

"We again hope our privacy at home will be fully respected, as we enjoy what will be a very special time for us as a family, before we return to London for the boys' separation later this year."

Mr and Mrs Benhaffaf also have two daughters, Malika and Iman.

The couple, who had previously wished to remain anonymous, thanked medical staff.

It has not been disclosed how the twins are conjoined, but last week Edward Kiely, consultant paediatric surgeon at Great Ormond Street, said that, if all went according to plan, the children would return to the hospital later in the year for surgery.

"The surgical team here is the most experienced in Europe at assessing and, if necessary, separating conjoined twins," he added.