Fighting kills at least 43 in Somali capital

Somali government troops backed by African Union peacekeepers battled insurgents on Sunday in clashes that killed at least 43 people in north Mogadishu, residents and officials said. Somalia's government and a 4,300-strong AU force (AMISOM) have been unable to take control of rebel strongholds in Mogadishu and other parts of the Horn of Africa nation despite international support and training. Mogadishu's deputy mayor said the insurgents had captured an area near the presidential palace at the weekend. "AMISOM backed us up in this latest operation because the rebels were only one kilometer to the presidential palace," said Abdifitah Shawey.