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Kenya standoff: At least 59 dead Kenya standoff: At least 59 dead, Uhuru Kenyatta says
(about 1 hour later)
At least 59 people were killed and 175 injured in Saturday's attack on a Nairobi shopping centre, the Kenyan interior minister has said. At least 59 people were killed and 175 injured in Saturday's attack on a Nairobi shopping centre, Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.
Joe Lenku said 1,000 people had managed to escape from the Westgate centre after the assault by suspected al-Shabab militants. More than 1,000 people were brought out of the Westgate shopping centre and the rescue operation continues, Mr Kenyatta said at a news conference on Sunday.
He added that between 10 to 15 attackers were still in the building. Between 10 and 15 attackers - thought to be militants from the Somali al-Shabab movement - are still inside.
It is not known how many civilians remain trapped there - either as hostages or hiding from the militants. Some civilians are still trapped, either as hostages or in hiding.
The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that three Britons are among the dead, and says the number is likely to rise. 'Appalling brutality'
French, Chinese, Ghanaian and Canadian citizens are also among the foreigners confirmed killed. "The criminals are now located in one place within the building," Mr Kenyatta said.
"With the professionals on site, we have as good a chance to neutralise the terrorists as we could hope for."
He thanked those who had helped with rescue and relief efforts, and asked other countries not to issue travel advisories against visiting Kenya.
Mr Kenyatta's nephew and his fiancee were among the dead, the president said.
The UK Foreign Office has confirmed that three Britons have been killed, and says the number is likely to rise.
French, Chinese, Ghanaian and Canadian citizens are also among the foreigners confirmed killed, along with a dual Australian-British national.
British Prime Minister David Cameron called it "an absolutely sickening and despicable attack of appalling brutality".British Prime Minister David Cameron called it "an absolutely sickening and despicable attack of appalling brutality".
There is a heavy military presence both in and around the shopping centre. Sporadic gunfire can be heard from inside.There is a heavy military presence both in and around the shopping centre. Sporadic gunfire can be heard from inside.
There are reports that the gunmen are currently holed up in a supermarket. There are reports that the gunmen are currently holed up in a supermarket. Mr Kenyatta said there were reports of women among the attackers but these could not be confirmed.
The Somali militant group al-Shabab says it carried out the attack on the upmarket shopping centre in response to Kenyan military operations in Somalia. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says a security source told him that at least one of the attackers was a woman who appeared to have a leadership role.
The Somali militant group al-Shabab says it carried out the attack in response to Kenyan military operations in Somalia.
There are about 4,000 Kenyan troops in the south of Somalia, where they have been fighting the militants since 2011.There are about 4,000 Kenyan troops in the south of Somalia, where they have been fighting the militants since 2011.
'Watching and monitoring''Watching and monitoring'
Kenyan officials said "major operations" were under way, with police and soldiers preparing an apparent bid to bring an end to the stand-off.Kenyan officials said "major operations" were under way, with police and soldiers preparing an apparent bid to bring an end to the stand-off.
But Mr Lenku stressed that the operation was "very, very delicate".
"The priority is to save as many lives as possible,'' he said.
The BBC's Will Ross at the scene said it would be extremely difficult for the military do a quick raid on the building because of all the people inside.The BBC's Will Ross at the scene said it would be extremely difficult for the military do a quick raid on the building because of all the people inside.
Al-Shabab has claimed there are at least 36 hostages, but this cannot be independently confirmed. There are also likely to be people hiding away from the attackers. Al-Shabab has claimed there are at least 36 hostages, but this cannot be independently confirmed.
Our correspondent says the full extent of the attack will not be known until the military is back in control.Our correspondent says the full extent of the attack will not be known until the military is back in control.
Meanwhile, people are still escaping from the building.Meanwhile, people are still escaping from the building.
Cecile Ndwiga got out on Sunday morning, saying she had been hiding under a vehicle in the basement car park but could not leave earlier because "the shootout was all over - left, right".Cecile Ndwiga got out on Sunday morning, saying she had been hiding under a vehicle in the basement car park but could not leave earlier because "the shootout was all over - left, right".
The authorities have asked journalists to exercise caution when reporting military developments because the gunmen might be monitoring the media.The authorities have asked journalists to exercise caution when reporting military developments because the gunmen might be monitoring the media.
The authorities are also appealing for Kenyans to donate blood. Big queues have formed at a Nairobi donation centre.The authorities are also appealing for Kenyans to donate blood. Big queues have formed at a Nairobi donation centre.
The attack began at about 12:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on Saturday, when the militants entered the Westgate centre, throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons. A children's day was being held at the time - children are among those reported killed.The attack began at about 12:00 local time (09:00 GMT) on Saturday, when the militants entered the Westgate centre, throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons. A children's day was being held at the time - children are among those reported killed.
Witnesses report seeing many bodies strewn round tables of unfinished fast food - with pop music left playing in the background.Witnesses report seeing many bodies strewn round tables of unfinished fast food - with pop music left playing in the background.
Some witnesses said the militants told Muslims to leave and said non-Muslims would be targeted.Some witnesses said the militants told Muslims to leave and said non-Muslims would be targeted.
"They came and said: 'If you are Muslim, stand up. We've come to rescue you'," said Elijah Lamau."They came and said: 'If you are Muslim, stand up. We've come to rescue you'," said Elijah Lamau.
He said the Muslims left with their hands up, and then the gunmen shot two people.He said the Muslims left with their hands up, and then the gunmen shot two people.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says a security source told him that at least one of the attackers was a woman who appeared to have a leadership role. The US State Department said it had reports that American citizens were injured in what it called "a senseless act of violence".
Foreigners among dead Prominent Ghanaian poet Kofi Awoonor - who was attending a literary festival in Nairobi - also died, as did a Chinese woman.
In a televised address on Saturday evening, Mr Kenyatta said: "We shall hunt down the perpetrators. We shall get to them and we shall punish them for this heinous crime." UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack and said one of the victims was a retired staff member from the UN children's agency Unicef.
He said he had "personally lost family members in the Westgate attack".
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said there would "undoubtedly" be British nationals caught up in Saturday's events, while the US State Department said it had reports that American citizens were injured in what it called "a senseless act of violence".
Prominent Ghanian poet Kofi Awoonor - who was was attending a literary festival in Nairobi - also died, as has a Chinese woman.
Security experts are reported to have warned that the Israeli-owned complex was in danger of being subjected to a terror attack.Security experts are reported to have warned that the Israeli-owned complex was in danger of being subjected to a terror attack.
Al-Shabab, which is part of the al-Qaeda network, has repeatedly threatened attacks on Kenyan soil if Nairobi did not pull its troops out of Somalia.Al-Shabab, which is part of the al-Qaeda network, has repeatedly threatened attacks on Kenyan soil if Nairobi did not pull its troops out of Somalia.
This is one of the worst incidents in Kenya since the attack on the US embassy in August 1998.This is one of the worst incidents in Kenya since the attack on the US embassy in August 1998.