2009-04-14 04:09:08  

    MOGADISHU, April 13 (Xinhua) --

Somali Islamist group Al-Shabab claimed Monday that it was responsible for the mortar attack on visiting U.S. Congressman Donald Payne, according to reports from agencies.

    Sheikh Hussein Ali Enditem, spokesman of the group, said that at the Mogadishu airport, they fired several mortars on the U.S. congressman who was about to leave the country after a brief visit during which he held meetings with senior Somali government officials, said reports.

    At least three people were wounded after mortars landed in residential areas around the airport in the Somali capital. Security officials said Payne's plane left safely from the airport.

    Payne met some Somali leaders, including President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Prime Minister Omar Abdurashid Ali Sharmarke.

    Both sides discussed security, political development and humanitarian situation in the war-torn Horn of African country where local people have been through nearly two decades of civil conflict.

    Payne is the first American official to visit Mogadishu since the election of the Islamist President Shiekh Sharif Shiekh Ahmed early this year.

    A hostage drama involving a U.S. captain whose ship was briefly held by Somali pirates was concluded Sunday after he was released after U.S. commandos shot three of the four pirates that took the captain hostage for nearly three days.

Somali insurgents fire mortars toward visiting U.S. congressman

2009-04-13 21:33:32  

    MOGADISHU, April 13 (Xinhua) --

Several mortars were fired on Monday at the Mogadishu airport as U.S. Congressman Donald Payne was about to leave the country after a brief visit during which he held meetings with senior Somali government officials.

    At least three people were wounded after mortars landed in residential areas around the airport in the Somali capital. Security officials said Payne's plane left safely from the airport.

    No group has so far claimed responsibility for the mortar attack but two main armed opposition groups are known to be opposed to the Somali government and have vowed to continue fighting against it.

    Speaking after meetings with Somali officials, Payne said he was pleased to meet with the Somali leaders including President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Prime Minister Omar Abdurashid Ali Sharmarke.

    Both sides discussed security, political development and humanitarian situation in the war-torn Horn of African country where local people have been through nearly two decades of civil conflict.

    "We have had good discussions with the congressman and we had understanding on all issues we discussed," Sharmarke told reporters following the meeting with Congressman Payne who said for his part that he had first hand impression about the situation in the country.

    Payne is the first American official to visit Mogadishu since the election of the Islamist President Shiekh Sharif Shiekh Ahmed early this year.

    A hostage drama involving a U.S. captain whose ship was briefly held by Somali pirates was concluded Sunday after he was released after U.S. commandos shot three of the four pirates that took the captain hostage for nearly three days.

Editor: Deng Shasha