Bombs hit Mogadishu as leaders meet at summit

Mortar shells have exploded in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, as regional leaders were gathered in the city to discuss their joint offen­sive against the al-Shabab militant group.

The four shells hit areas near the heavily guarded presidential palace.

There are no reports of casual­ties.

The leaders of Kenya, Ethiopia and Djobouti are holding a summit there on Wednesday following recent military gains made by the Somali government against the Islamist militants.

Al-Shabab still control large ar­eas of Somalia, and are continuing to carrying out regular attacks.

But they have lost territory since the government, backed by the US and African troops, launched a new offensive last August. —BBC