Mogadishu residents told to leave

Mogadishu, 12 March-(ANA)-Mogadishu's mayor has told residents to leave the Somali capital's war zones, amid fierce battles with insurgents.

At least 50 people have been killed in three days of Islamist insurgent attacks, witnesses and officials say.

Mayor Abdurisaq Mohamed Nor said the long-anticipated government offensive may start soon, so residents should withdraw at least 2km (1.25 miles).

About half of Mogadishu's residents have already fled the city after two decades of conflict.(ANA)

FA/ANA/12 March 2010-----