MOGADISHU, March 01, 2007 - Gunmen ambushed a convoy carrying the head of Mogadishu's sea port on Thursday, sparking an exchange of fire that claimed at least two lives, witnesses and a security guard said.

"Militiamen ambushed the head of the sea port's car and killed one of his security guards. They responded with fire and killed one of the attackers," a witness told AFP.

The unidentified attackers opened fire on Abdi Jiidow's convoy as he was returning to his home in southern Mogadishu, one of his security guards said.

"I do not know the reason for this, but it is part of an ongoing string of hit-and-run attacks," said Abdi Mohamed Weli.

It was not immediately clear if there were any causalities.

Elsewhere in southern Mogadishu, attackers shot at the car of local police chief Ibrahim Abdi Adan, injuring one civilian, according to a security guard and a witness.

"We were attacked by unknown gunmen who wanted to place explosives on the road. But we returned fire and arrested one suspect. None of us were injured, but one civilian was wounded," the security guard said.

Eyewitness Hussein Nur Gir said he saw masked gunmen trying to block the security official's car ahead of the attack.

The port, presidential palace and defense ministry are the most regularly hit targets in Mogadishu. The capital has suffered almost uninterrupted violence since the interim government, backed by Ethiopian forces, drove out an Islamist movement late last year.

Insurgents are increasingly targeting officials and their relatives and many civilians have been caught in crossfire. Dozens have died since the start of the year and thousands have fled the capital.

Somali officials have blamed former warlords and leaders of the defeated Islamist movement, who are in Mogadishu under clan protection, for the attacks.

Source: AFP