An apparent bid to assassinate Somalia's interim president has killed four people and injured several outside parliament in the town of Baidoa.
An apparent bid to assassinate Somalia's interim president has killed four people and injured several outside parliament in the town of Baidoa.
The suspected car bomb went off soon after a convoy left carrying President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, but the leader is said to have escaped unharmed.
The suspected car bomb went off soon after a convoy left carrying President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, but the leader is said to have escaped unharmed.
A second bomb exploded near the first, and at least five cars were on fire outside the parliament building.
A second bomb exploded near the first, and at least five cars were on fire outside the parliament building.
The interim government controls only Baidoa and a small area around it.
The interim government controls only Baidoa and a small area around it.
The capital, Mogadishu, and other parts of the country are run by the Union of Islamic Courts militia.
The capital, Mogadishu, and much of southern Somalia are run by the Union of Islamic Courts, which has tense relations with the government.
Pool of blood
Pool of blood
A Somali police official in Baidoa said he had counted four dead bodies.
A Somali police official in Baidoa said he had counted four dead bodies.
The interim president's rule is largely confined to Baidoa
"I saw four dead people lying in front of the parliament in a pool of blood," Shirre Moalim Nur, deputy police commissioner for the Bay region around Baidoa, told AFP news agency.
"I saw four dead people lying in front of the parliament in a pool of blood," Shirre Moalim Nur, deputy police commissioner for the Bay region around Baidoa, told AFP news agency.
Shino Moalim, a government official, also put the death toll at four, the Associated Press news agency reports.
Shino Moalim, a government official, also put the death toll at four, the Associated Press news agency reports.
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.
Speaking to Reuters news agency from the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, he added that the president was "fine".
Speaking to Reuters news agency from the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, he added that the president was "fine".
Abdirahman Dinari, government spokesman in Baidoa, confirmed Mr Yusuf Ahmed had escaped the blast and was "safe".
Abdirahman Dinari, government spokesman in Baidoa, confirmed Mr Yusuf Ahmed had escaped the blast and was "safe".
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.
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.
