Rebels attack Somali parliament

Mogadishu, 16 May-(ANA)-Islamist rebels attacked Somalia's parliament as it met for the first time this year, in clashes which led to the deaths of nine people.

Insurgents fired mortar bombs at the building in Mogadishu, triggering retaliatory shellfire from African Union peacekeepers.

There were rowdy scenes in the chamber earlier as members voted to remove the speaker, who had criticised the PM.

The rebels have fought a three-year war against the fragile interim government.

They launched Sunday's attack from their stronghold in the capital's main market at Bakara, Reuters news agency reports. (ANA)

FA/ANA/16 May 2010---------