MOGADISHU,(insidesomalia.org)- Kidnappers of two foreign journalists in Somalia are demanding a ransom of 2.5 million U.S. dollars for their release, local media said Sunday.

The two journalists, Australian freelance photographer Nigel Brennan and Canadian reporter Amanda Lindhout, along with a local photographer were kidnapped by unknown gunmen on the southern outskirts of the Somali capital Mogadishu late last month.

The kidnappers were demanding 2.5 million dollars, and efforts were being made to rescue the journalists, local media quoted Dahir Farah, who has been participating in negotiations for their release, as saying.

Meanwhile, local Shebelle radio said it had spoken to one of the abductors, who said there was good communication between the captors and the Australian and Canadian governments about the release of their nationals.

The man, calling himself Ahmed Ali, said in the radio interview that the foreigners were "in good health" and they were able to speak with their relatives by phone.

Local insurgent groups have distanced themselves from the kidnapping of the foreign journalists and condemned it.