Kenya on Sunday threatened to expel Somali leaders opposed to efforts aimed at restoring stability in the war ravaged Horn of Africa nation.

In a statement, Kenya's Foreign Minister Raphael Tuju said the east African would not sit back and watch as reconciliation efforts are undermined by self-seekers.

"The Kenyan Government will not standby and watch as efforts to bring peace to Somalia are undermined by a group of self-seekers calling themselves leaders operate from the comfort and safety of luxurious hotels in Nairobi," said Tuju.

The statement comes after five Somali lawmakers were arrested on Friday and detained after they addressed a news conference in Nairobi in which they asked for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from their country.

But Tuju said the government would not allow its territory to be used by people who abuse the hospitality given to them and who are bent on promoting selfish interests.

He said Kenya which chairs the seven nation regional grouping, the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) would not hesitate to take decisive and punitive action against those who subvert peace efforts.

"I call upon all leaders from Somalia to refrain from issuing hostile statements that would promote animosity or suspicion between clans or factions or even between countries of the region, " he said.

He said measures that could be taken against them include expulsion. He said the MPs were issuing hostile statements to the media even when a meeting was being held in Nairobi to restore order in their country.

Tuju reiterated that there was a new momentum to restore peace and stability in Somalia and the efforts should not be "held hostage by any single interest or side issues being propagated by a few Somali leaders."

The Foreign Affairs minister said majority of Somalis had agreed to embrace reconciliation under the transitional federal government led by President Abdullahi Yusuf.

Source: Xinhua