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Tight security after Somali blast Tight security after Somali blast
(about 1 hour later)
Somalia's interim government has increased security around its base after Monday's assassination attempt on President Abdullahi Yusuf.Somalia's interim government has increased security around its base after Monday's assassination attempt on President Abdullahi Yusuf.
Cars and people entering and leave the town of Baidoa were being checked, reports the AP news agency.Cars and people entering and leave the town of Baidoa were being checked, reports the AP news agency.
Some officials have accused the Islamist group which controls much of southern Somalia of links to the blast.Some officials have accused the Islamist group which controls much of southern Somalia of links to the blast.
At least 11 people were killed after a suicide bomber drove a car into President Yusuf's convoy.At least 11 people were killed after a suicide bomber drove a car into President Yusuf's convoy.
He escaped virtually unharmed but his younger brother and a Ugandan security official were among the five people killed in the blast.He escaped virtually unharmed but his younger brother and a Ugandan security official were among the five people killed in the blast.
Six attackers were killed in an ensuing gun battle and two were arrested, officials say.Six attackers were killed in an ensuing gun battle and two were arrested, officials say.
It is not clear who carried out the attack.It is not clear who carried out the attack.
'Fingerprints''Fingerprints'
A government spokesman has appealed for help with the investigation and suggested al-Qaeda could be behind it.A government spokesman has appealed for help with the investigation and suggested al-Qaeda could be behind it.
"We really do not have the expertise to uncover the whole attack that was well organised by the same groups that are carrying out attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan," government spokesman Abdirahman Mohamed Nur Dinari told AFP news agency."We really do not have the expertise to uncover the whole attack that was well organised by the same groups that are carrying out attacks in Iraq and Afghanistan," government spokesman Abdirahman Mohamed Nur Dinari told AFP news agency.
The suicide car hit the first car in the convoy and exploded Abdullahi Yusuf 'My narrow escape' Eyewitness: Baidoa rocked In pictures: Baidoa blasts "The government is very concerned," Somalia's Foreign Minister Ismail Mohamed Hurre told AP news agency in Nairobi, Kenya.The suicide car hit the first car in the convoy and exploded Abdullahi Yusuf 'My narrow escape' Eyewitness: Baidoa rocked In pictures: Baidoa blasts "The government is very concerned," Somalia's Foreign Minister Ismail Mohamed Hurre told AP news agency in Nairobi, Kenya.
"We believe there could be further attacks.""We believe there could be further attacks."
He also said that while he could not categorically say who was responsible, the attack had the "fingerprints" of the Union of Islamic Courts.He also said that while he could not categorically say who was responsible, the attack had the "fingerprints" of the Union of Islamic Courts.
The UIC has, however, condemned the attack.The UIC has, however, condemned the attack.
The group's chairman, Sharif Shaikh Ahmed, blamed Ethiopia, saying it wanted a pretext to send troops into Somalia.The group's chairman, Sharif Shaikh Ahmed, blamed Ethiopia, saying it wanted a pretext to send troops into Somalia.
Ethiopia is generally seen as being a close ally of Mr Yusuf. Ethiopia is generally seen as being a close ally of Mr Yusuf. Ethiopia has condemned the attack, saying it will do "whatever is necessary" to help the Somali government.
"This act is intended to wreak havoc and bring more instability not only to Somalia and its fledgling Transitional Federal Institutions, but also to the entire region of Horn of Africa," the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
Ten days ago, Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade, the warlord who controls Baidoa, told the BBC that militiamen would eject government members by force if they did not withdraw from Baidoa peacefully.Ten days ago, Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade, the warlord who controls Baidoa, told the BBC that militiamen would eject government members by force if they did not withdraw from Baidoa peacefully.
PeacekeepersPeacekeepers
The president had addressed a meeting of the country's transitional parliament only minutes before the attack, which also left 18 people wounded.The president had addressed a meeting of the country's transitional parliament only minutes before the attack, which also left 18 people wounded.
Correspondents say the audacious attack is a reminder of how weak the interim government is.Correspondents say the audacious attack is a reminder of how weak the interim government is.
As a former warlord, President Yusuf has many enemiesThey say the violence is also bound to further heighten tensions in war-torn Somalia, which has not had a functioning national government for 15 years.As a former warlord, President Yusuf has many enemiesThey say the violence is also bound to further heighten tensions in war-torn Somalia, which has not had a functioning national government for 15 years.
The interim government controls only Baidoa and a small area around it.The interim government controls only Baidoa and a small area around it.
"The attack was a suicide car bomb against me," President Yusuf told the BBC Somali service."The attack was a suicide car bomb against me," President Yusuf told the BBC Somali service.
"The suicide car hit the first car in the convoy and exploded.""The suicide car hit the first car in the convoy and exploded."
There are no fire fighters in Baidoa and so the cars were left to burn out after the attack.There are no fire fighters in Baidoa and so the cars were left to burn out after the attack.
The attack came as MPs started a key session to approve the new cabinet.The attack came as MPs started a key session to approve the new cabinet.
Despite the blast, the MPs went ahead with their meeting in a converted warehouse which serves as the parliament and approved the new government line-up.Despite the blast, the MPs went ahead with their meeting in a converted warehouse which serves as the parliament and approved the new government line-up.
President Yusuf wants foreign peacekeepers sent to Somalia - a suggestion strongly rejected by the Islamists, who say they can take care of security.President Yusuf wants foreign peacekeepers sent to Somalia - a suggestion strongly rejected by the Islamists, who say they can take care of security.
Uganda is one of the countries to have volunteered troops.Uganda is one of the countries to have volunteered troops.