A court in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland has sentenced eight people to death for killing three foreign aid workers.

Seven others were sentenced to life in prison Monday for their role in the murder of two British aid workers in 2003 and a Kenyan in 2004.

The court also ordered further investigation into the killing of an Italian aid worker in 2003.

Somaliland, which is not internationally recognized, broke away from Somalia after it descended into anarchy following the overthrow of Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.

The United States and other western intelligence agencies see Somalia as a potential safe haven for terrorists.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.