This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8149130.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Reporters abducted in Mogadishu Reporters abducted in Mogadishu
(19 minutes later)
Two journalists, believed to be French, have been kidnapped from a hotel in Somalia's capital city, 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 snatched the men from a hotel in the south of the city.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 incident. 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 abductions 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 repelledRebels 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. "Two foreigners have been kidnapped this morning by a large group of gunmen," Somali police spokesman Mohamed Ali told the 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. A worker at the hotel told BBC Somali service that the two men were French journalists who were staying there.
The Sahafi Hotel has often accommodated foreign journalists and Somali government ministers.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.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.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.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.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.