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Battle mars Somalia peace talks Somali talks bombs kill children
(about 6 hours later)
At least two people have reportedly been killed during heavy fighting in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, as a reconciliation conference is to open. At least five Somali children have been killed in a mortar shell attack, say witnesses, as a reconciliation conference finally opened in Mogadishu.
Witnesses said that insurgents fired mortars into the city's main market, sparking a fierce army response. "They missed their target and hit Shibiz district. At least five children died," local resident Abdi Aziz Hussein told the Reuters news agency.
"It was the worst gun battle I have ever heard," said Mohamud Ibrahim. "They used all sorts of weapons." At least two people died earlier, after insurgent attacks on a market.
The conference has been repeatedly postponed, with a boycott by Islamists and Mogadishu's clan elders.The conference has been repeatedly postponed, with a boycott by Islamists and Mogadishu's clan elders.
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says some people have fled the area around Bakara market, where attacks are common.The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Mogadishu says some people have fled the area around Bakara market, where attacks are common.
NuclearNuclear
The conference venue is far away, in north Mogadishu but our reporter says the explosions could be heard there, sparking fears it could be attacked. Islamists had threatened to attack the conference, reports the AP news agency.
Police said one soldier and one civilian died. But President Abdullahi Yusuf said the internationally-backed talks would go ahead even if a nuclear bomb was dropped.
Islamists have threatened to attack the conference, reports the AP news agency.
But President Abdullahi Yusuf has said the internationally-backed talks will go ahead even if a nuclear bomb is dropped.
Several mortar shells landed near the venue on Sunday, injuring civilians, when the conference was first opened.Several mortar shells landed near the venue on Sunday, injuring civilians, when the conference was first opened.
It was immediately postponed to let give some of the more than 1,000 delegates more time to arrive. It was immediately postponed to give some of the more than 1,000 delegates more time to arrive.
The main Islamist opposition have refused to attend, saying the venue is not neutral, while Ethiopian troops remain in the country.The main Islamist opposition have refused to attend, saying the venue is not neutral, while Ethiopian troops remain in the country.
Ethiopia helped government troops oust Islamists from Mogadishu last December.Ethiopia helped government troops oust Islamists from Mogadishu last December.
Somalia has been without a functioning government for 16 years.Somalia has been without a functioning government for 16 years.