Somali leader's house 'attacked'


Wednesday, 17 November, 2004, 12:21 GMT

The Nairobi residence of the newly elected Somali president has been attacked by unknown gunmen.

Two armed men exchanged gunfire with security guards outside Abdullahi Yusuf's house in the Kenyan capital early on Wednesday for 10 minutes.

The unidentified attackers then fled. No injuries are being reported.

Mr Yusuf was elected last month by the transitional parliament based in Kenya. He has not yet returned to Somalia due to security fears.

Security

Somalia has been without a functioning national government since 1991.

It has been divided into fiefdoms by rival warlords. The BBC's Muchiri Kioi says it is not clear if Mr Yusuf is still in his Nairobi residence.

Since his election, he has been treated as a head of state by the Kenyan authorities, with tight security.

The number of Kenyan troops around the house has now been increased.

A spokesman for Mr Yusuf said he had full confidence in the Kenyan security forces.

Published: Source: bbc.co.uk

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