The Burundian contingent serving in the African Union Peacekeeping Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) will stay in Mogadishu until it restores peace and stability and would not be deterred by the insurgent attacks, says Burundian defense ministry.

Colonel Gaspard Baratutuza, a spokesman for National Defence Force (NDS) said the troops will still be part of the peacekeeping mission despite the increasing attacks.

"We will continue with the fight against the insurgents who jeapodize peace in Somalia, and we will not leave until we maintain law and order," he told the national radio in Bujumbura.

He acknowledged the fact that his country has suffered casualties in defending the weak UN-backed Somali government but that could not dishearten its ambitions for peace.

Commenting about the defection of some Somali forces, whom they trained, to the insurgents, Baratutuza said that could not undermine the morale of the Burundian troops.

"We are used to the defection of Somali soldiers, and this is unlikely to undermine the morale of our troops in Mogadishu."

AU has more than 5,000-strong peacekeeping troops from Uganda and Burundi who are helping the weak but internationally recognised government fight militant groups in the restive capital Mogadishu.

The troops come under constant attack from Al-Shabaab, which has allegedly links with Al-Qeada and recently proclaimed its allegiance to Osama bin Laden. (From allafrica.com -click here to go to the source)