(CNN) -- Somalia's transitional government has the right to request military help from its neighbors against armed militants, the African Union said Monday, but Kenya was quick to reject the idea of sending troops and suggested the AU should spearhead such a move. Islamist insurgents patrol part of Mogadishu during clashes with government forces. Somali parliament speaker Sheikh Adan Madowe on Saturday called on Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Yemen to send in their military forces to help government troops stop hardline Islamist militants from taking over. "Militants are wrestling the power from the government and so we call for military help from neighboring countries," the speaker said at a news conference in Mogadishu. "Please send your military to help in 24 hours' time."
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Somali parliament speaker asks Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen to send troops
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Country is battling hardline Islamist militants
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Kenya says African Union must lead such an effort
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AU says it will help Somalia
However, he did say that "different types of support can be given, not just military, and @placeholder's options are open."