THE kidnappers of an Australian photographer and Canadian and Somali journalists in Somalia are demanding a

THE kidnappers of an Australian photographer and Canadian and Somali journalists in Somalia are demanding a $US2.5 million ransom.

"The kidnappers demanded 2.5 million dollars and we are trying to secure their release,'' said Mohamud Hasan SOJRA's vice executive director.

They were speaking from an undisclosed location.

"We need a ransom of 2.5 million dollars to free the hostages,'' said Mahad Ise Gedi "farayare" who is one of the active kidnappers.

Mr Brennan and Ms Lindhout, as well as their Somali fixer, who is also a journalist, were abducted on August 23 on the road from the capital Mogadishu to Afgoye, where they intended to visit refugee camps.

Journalists and humanitarian workers are frequently abducted in Somalia, a country torn apart by unrest since 1991., Most kidnappings include ransom demands.