Militants Hold Out at Nairobi Shopping Center

Surrounded by Kenyan forces

Islamist fighters from Somalia's al Shabaab held out at a Nairobi shopping center after killing at least 62 people, surrounded by Kenyan forces trying to crush their group's cross-border jihad.

President Barack Obama offered U.S. support as the raid went into its fourth day, saying he believed Kenya - the scene of one of al Qaeda's first major attacks and a neighbor of chaotic Somalia - would continue to be a regional pillar of stability.

It remained unclear how many fighters and hostages were still cornered in Nairobi's Westgate shopping center on Tuesday, after a series of blasts and gunfire were followed by black smoke billowing from one part of the complex on Monday.