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Reporters abducted in Mogadishu Reporters abducted in Mogadishu
(about 1 hour later)
Two foreign journalists have been kidnapped from a hotel by gunmen in the Somalian capital Mogadishu. Two journalists, believed to be French, have been kidnapped from a hotel in Somalia's capital city, Mogadishu.
About 10 gunmen disguised as government security forces arrived at the hotel in the south of the city and took them. About 10 gunmen disguised as government security forces snatched the men from a hotel in the south of the city.
A BBC Somali Service journalist says African Union military officials are aware of the report. It is not clear who the reporters work for.A BBC Somali Service journalist says African Union military officials are aware of the report. It is not clear who the reporters work for.
Mogadishu has been in the middle of fierce on-off battles between pro-government forces and Islamist rebels.Mogadishu has been in the middle of fierce on-off battles between pro-government forces and Islamist rebels.
The abduction took place at the Sahafi Hotel on Tuesday morning in a part of the Somali capital controlled by pro-government forces. The abductions took place at the Sahafi Hotel on Tuesday morning in a part of the Somali capital controlled by pro-government forces.
Rebels repelled
Gunmen wearing Somali police uniforms turned up at the guest house, seized the two reporters and took them in a vehicle towards a part of the city run by insurgents, said witnesses.Gunmen wearing Somali police uniforms turned up at the guest house, seized the two reporters and took them in a vehicle towards a part of the city run by insurgents, said witnesses.
"Two foreigners have been kidnapped this morning by a large group of gunmen," Somali police spokesman Mohamed Ali told AFP news agency.
A worker at the hotel told BBC Somali service that the two men were French journalists who were staying at the hotel.
The Sahafi Hotel has often accommodated foreign journalists and Somali government ministers.
Analysts say Somalia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for reporters.
The kidnappings come two days after government troops forced Islamist militants from positions around the presidential palace.
Some of the 4,300 African Union peacekeepers helped push back the insurgents.
The radical rebel group al-Shabab and its allies have been trying to topple the fragile UN-backed interim government, led by moderate Islamist President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.