Somalia Suicide Attack Misses Peacekeepers, Kills Civilians

A suicide bomb attack aimed at African Union peacekeepers in Somalia has missed its target and instead killed at least 14 people and injured more than 20 others in the capital, Mogadishu. The African Union condemned the attack as an attempt to undermine the hint of stability that has come to Somalia since Ethiopian troops pulled out of Mogadishu this month. Mogadishu's deputy governor tells reporters police fired on a bomb-laden car racing toward a checkpoint manned by African Union peacekeepers. The car veered out of control and slammed into a civilian bus, killed all aboard as well as a policeman.A spokesman for the A.U. force known as AMISOM says no peacekeepers were injured.An A.U. statement condemned the attack. A.U. Peace and Security Commissioner Ramtane Lamamra called it a cowardly act that runs against the interests of the Somali people and ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability. In a telephone interview, he said such attacks had been expected as extremist groups try to instill fear in the population following the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from the capital...more..http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-01-25-voa3.cfm?rss=topstories
Somali capital marred by violence