Suspected rebels attack U.N. compound in Somalia

Mogadishu, 17 Aug-(ANA)-UN guards have killed three suspected Islamist insurgents after they stormed a U.N. aid compound in southern Somalia.

One U.N. official said about 10 heavily armed men attacked them in Wajid, 70 km (40 miles) northwest of Baidoa town, at a compound used mostly for storing humanitarian supplies.

"After several minutes shooting our security guards repulsed the attackers and killed three of them," the official told Reuters, adding that one U.N. security guard was injured.

"We don't know what they planned, but we think they wanted to take over the whole compound and kidnap foreign aid workers."

Another U.N. official said nine aid workers staying in Wajid had been evacuated to Nairobi, capital of neighbouring Kenya. (ANA)

FA/ANA/17 August 2009---