Deadly attacks in Somali capital

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A Somali policeman has been killed and a convoy of government and Ethiopian troops attacked in a new round of violence in the capital, Mogadishu.

The policeman was killed when gunmen opened fire on a police station in the north-eastern Hurwa district.

The convoy was heading to the police station when it was ambushed by unknown assailants, sparking a gunbattle.

The violence comes as an African Union delegation is in the city to discuss the deployment of peacekeepers.

At least one military vehicle was destroyed after the convoy came under attack, witnesses said.

Now I worry about whether the government will take responsibility for our safety Hassan MohamoudDisarmed Mogadishu resident "I have seen one Ethiopian military vehicle burning after it was hit by an RPG [rocket-propelled grenade]," said Shine Moalim Hussein.

The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan says that explosions could be heard in many areas of the city overnight.

He says the latest attacks could encourage President Abdullahi Yusuf to impose martial law soon, after it was approved by parliament on Saturday.

Peacekeeping fears

Ethiopian forces helped drive Islamists from the city in recent weeks but they are keen to pull out within weeks.

As they withdrew in the face of the Ethiopian advance, some Islamist leaders vowed to launch a guerrilla war.

President Yusuf returned to Mogadishu last weekOver the weekend, the regional body, Igad, sent envoys to seven African countries, asking them to contribute to a proposed 8,000-strong peacekeeping force - Rwanda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Tunisia and Algeria.

So far only Uganda has offered troops - 1,500 - although it needs parliamentary approval.

BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says African leaders are concerned about becoming bogged down in a quagmire.

The latest attacks followed an operation by government and Ethiopian troops to disarm Mogadishu residents.

After 16 years of conflict and lawlessness, many Somalia possess their own weapons.

Hassan Mohamoud said troops entered his house early on Sunday and seized his Kalashnikov gun.

"I bought the gun about 10 years ago in order to safeguard myself and my family," he said.

"But now I worry about whether the government will take responsibility for our safety."