Kenya troops move into Somalia to pursue kidnappers

Kenya has sent troops into Somalia in a bid to pursue militants it suspects of carrying out a spate of kidnappings.

Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said troops were pursuing Somali al-Shabab militants across the border.

But the first secretary of Somalia's mission to the UN said that claims of Kenyan soldiers entering Somalia had not been confirmed and warned that such a move could inflame the situation.

Speaking to the BBC, Omar Jamal admitted Somalia faced a security crisis in the area, but said that any intervention by Kenya would be a violation of his country's sovereignty.