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Somali leader survives bomb blast | Somali leader survives bomb blast |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 11 people have died in an apparent bid to assassinate Somalia's interim president outside parliament in the town of Baidoa, say officials. | At least 11 people have died in an apparent bid to assassinate Somalia's interim president outside parliament in the town of Baidoa, say officials. |
A suspected car bomb went off soon after a convoy left carrying President Abdullahi Yusuf. The leader is said to be unharmed but his brother was killed. | A suspected car bomb went off soon after a convoy left carrying President Abdullahi Yusuf. The leader is said to be unharmed but his brother was killed. |
A second bomb exploded near the first, setting at least five cars ablaze. | A second bomb exploded near the first, setting at least five cars ablaze. |
Mr Yusuf has strained relations with an Islamist group which controls much of southern Somalia. | Mr Yusuf has strained relations with an Islamist group which controls much of southern Somalia. |
I saw a white car explode... There were screams everywhere Eyewitness Sahad Mohamed Abukar href="/1/hi/world/africa/5357412.stm" class="">Eyewitness: Baidoa rocked The interim government controls only Baidoa and a small area around it. | |
The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) deny US accusations that they are linked to al-Qaeda. | The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) deny US accusations that they are linked to al-Qaeda. |
The blasts came as MPs started a key session to approve the new cabinet and whether the government should share power with the UIC. | The blasts came as MPs started a key session to approve the new cabinet and whether the government should share power with the UIC. |
Despite the blasts, the MPs went ahead and approved the new government line-up. | Despite the blasts, the MPs went ahead and approved the new government line-up. |
Correspondents say the blasts are bound to further heighten tension in war-torn Somalia, which has not had a functioning national government for 15 years. | Correspondents say the blasts are bound to further heighten tension in war-torn Somalia, which has not had a functioning national government for 15 years. |
Ten days ago, Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade, the warlord who controls Baidoa, told the BBC that militiamen would eject government members by force if they did not withdraw from Baidoa peacefully. | Ten days ago, Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade, the warlord who controls Baidoa, told the BBC that militiamen would eject government members by force if they did not withdraw from Baidoa peacefully. |
Pool of blood | Pool of blood |
"I saw a white car explode in front of the parliament, demolishing seven other cars nearby," witness Sahad Mohamed Abukar told AFP news agency. | "I saw a white car explode in front of the parliament, demolishing seven other cars nearby," witness Sahad Mohamed Abukar told AFP news agency. |
"There were screams everywhere." | "There were screams everywhere." |
In pictures: Baidoa blasts | In pictures: Baidoa blasts |
Somali Foreign Minister Ismail Hurre said the attack had been an assassination attempt on the president. | Somali Foreign Minister Ismail Hurre said the attack had been an assassination attempt on the president. |
"Five people were killed from the presidential convoy and three wounded," the minister told reporters in the Kenyan capital. | "Five people were killed from the presidential convoy and three wounded," the minister told reporters in the Kenyan capital. |
"Six attackers were also killed and two captured." | "Six attackers were also killed and two captured." |
He said he did not want to speculate on who was behind the attacks but said whoever was responsible wanted peace talks with the UIC set for 30 September to fail. | He said he did not want to speculate on who was behind the attacks but said whoever was responsible wanted peace talks with the UIC set for 30 September to fail. |
Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi told the BBC that President Yusuf was alive and well. | Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi told the BBC that President Yusuf was alive and well. |
Local journalist Mohamed Adawe said the blast came 10 minutes after the president had delivered a speech. | Local journalist Mohamed Adawe said the blast came 10 minutes after the president had delivered a speech. |
President Yusuf wants foreign peacekeepers sent to Somalia - a suggestion strongly rejected by the Islamists, who say they can take care of security. | President Yusuf wants foreign peacekeepers sent to Somalia - a suggestion strongly rejected by the Islamists, who say they can take care of security. |
Meanwhile, a group of Italian Catholic nuns are being evacuated from the capital, Mogadishu, after one of their elderly colleagues was shot dead on Sunday by gunmen; the UIC condemned the killing. | Meanwhile, a group of Italian Catholic nuns are being evacuated from the capital, Mogadishu, after one of their elderly colleagues was shot dead on Sunday by gunmen; the UIC condemned the killing. |
Did you witness the explosion outside Somalia's interim parliament in Baidoa? Please send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Did you witness the explosion outside Somalia's interim parliament in Baidoa? Please send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |