MOGADISHU (Somalia): As the Somali president left parliament, few noticed when his security detail ushered him from his three-ton armoured car to an ordinary car. It was a simple, routine security measure that saved his life.
Moments later a massive car bomb exploded outside the makeshift parliament building of Somalia's virtually powerless government in Baidoa, destroying President Abdullahi Yusuf's armoured car and killing his brother and four other members of the presidential detail.
Though Yusuf had moved to another car, his driver lost a hand in the blast. The president then alighted and escaped on foot with guards, witness Abdisalam Mohammed Nor Hassan said. Other witnesses said the president was cut by flying glass.
As Yusuf fled, a gun battle broke out between his bodyguards and eight suspected accomplices of an apparent suicide bomber. Six were killed and two were captured, the country's Foreign Minister Ismail Mohamed Hurre said.
No one so far has claimed responsibility. Two people were arrested, Hurre said. He had no details on the suspects. [For more..click here]
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