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$2.5 million ransom for Somalia hostages

The kidnappers of the three journalists and two drivers kidnapped in Somalia two weeks ago have finally submitted their demands,
"The kidnappers demanded 2.5 million dollars and we are trying to secure their release,'' said Dahir Farah, who has been participating in negotiations to free the three abducted in Somalia last month. Another person claiming to be an intermediary for the kidnappers spoke of the same ransom demand. He also allowed two people claiming to be the foreign journalists to speak briefly to news wire services. "I'm Amanda, the Canadian journalist. Our health situation is very well for the time being,'' Amanda Lindhout, a freelance foreign correspondent from the western Canadian province of Alberta, purportedly said. A man claiming to be Nigel Geoffrey Brennan, an Australian photographer, said: "We are very well now mentally and physically." link