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, but the leader is said to have escaped unharmed.
A suspected car bomb went off soon after a convoy left carrying President Abdullahi Yusuf, but the leader is said to have escaped unharmed.
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.
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 Union of Islamic Courts deny US accusations that they are linked to al-Qaeda.
The Union of Islamic Courts deny US accusations that they are linked to al-Qaeda.
Ten days ago, Transport Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade told the BBC that militiamen would eject government members by force if they did not withdraw from Baidoa peacefully.
Ten days ago, Transport Minister Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade 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
One of the dead was reported to be the president's younger brother - a security official
One of the dead was reported to be the president's younger brother - a security official
"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."
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."
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.
The parliament was meeting to approve Mr Ghedi's new government. MPs have been debating whether the government should share power with the UIC. They have held peace talks but have not yet reached an agreement.
The parliament was meeting to approve Mr Ghedi's new government. MPs have been debating whether the government should share power with the UIC. They have held peace talks but have not yet reached an agreement.
"This explosion was intended to kill the president, but he escaped and he is safe," said government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari.
"This explosion was intended to kill the president, but he escaped and he is safe," said government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari.
President Yusuf wants foreign peacekeepers sent to Somalia - a suggestion strongly rejected by the Islamists, who say they can take care of security in a country which has not had an effective national government for 15 years.
President Yusuf wants foreign peacekeepers sent to Somalia - a suggestion strongly rejected by the Islamists, who say they can take care of security in a country which has not had an effective national government for 15 years.
Meanwhile, a group of Italian Catholic nuns are being evacuated from 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.
