At least eight people have been killed in and around the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in clashes between different groups of people loyal to one of the main clan leaders, Ali Mahdi Mohammed.

At least three civilians died in the city centre yesterday after militiamen stopped to investigate a roadblock manned by other militiamen.

A grenade exploded and both sides began firing in the resulting confusion.

Five armed men were killed the day before in the Middle Shabelle region north of Mogadishu in fighting triggered by rivalry over a German aid contract to rehabilitate a canal.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service