MOGADISHU - Somalia's Islamist Al Shabaab said on Monday that they are not behind the kidnappings of foreigners in Kenya, media quoted a statement of the group as saying.

According to the statement, Al Shabaab denied all charges pertaining to the kidnapping of tourists and aid workers from inside Kenya. ?

The group, which controls much of southern Somalia, also said on Monday that they will fight against Kenyan troops which crossed over into Somalia to pursue the radical fighters.