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A policeman carrying a baby to safety
The Nairobi mall shootout has entered day three with al-shabab insurgents threatening to kill hostages. Sixty-eight people have been killed so far and over 170 others injured.
An al-Shabaab spokesperson warned that the Islamists would kill hostages if Kenyan security forces, who are being assisted by Western and Israeli experts, tried to storm their position.
"Israelis and Kenyan forces have tried to enter Westgate by force but they could not," Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage said in an audio statement posted online. "The mujahideen will kill the hostages if the enemies use force."
News24 reports that, Gunfire and explosions sounds are still coming from the Westgate Center on Monday where militants from Somalia's al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group are holding hostages.
Kenyan troops are currently trying to contain the situation, although there was no indication of the fate of people whom the authorities had said on Sunday were being held by 10 to 15 gunmen - and possibly women - inside a large supermarket.
Colonel Cyrus Oguna, a Kenyan military spokesperson, told Reuters that most of those freed in a search and rescue operation on Sunday had not been held by the gunmen but had found places of refuge. He said "a very small number" were still captive, but gave no detail.
"We will not negotiate with terrorists," he added.
Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Monday morning it was adjourning the trial of Kenya's Deputy President William Ruto on charges relating to violence following elections in 2007.
The court said Mr Ruto would be excused for a week to return to Nairobi to help deal with the crisis.
