Somali insurgents fire mortars towards US rep

By Ibrahim Mohamed

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somali insurgents fired mortars toward U.S. congressman Donald Payne as he left Somalia on Monday after a rare visit by a U.S. politician to the anarchic Horn of Africa nation, police said.

Somalia's capital Mogadishu is one of the world's most dangerous places. U.S. officials have shunned travel to the battle-scarred city due to constant violence.

Somali Internal Security Minister Omar Hashi Aden told Reuters Payne's plane was airborne when the mortars fell. An African Union (AU) spokesman denied the attack on the airport -- which is under AU control -- had happened.

A police officer, however, said mortars struck the airport.

"One mortar landed at the airport when Payne's plane was due to fly and five others after he left, and no one was hurt," an officer at the airstrip told Reuters.

Residents said insurgents and AU soldiers exchanged fire after the attack, killing three people and wounding 12 others near a main market in Mogadishu.

"A mortar dropped exactly where other mortars were fired from. But I cannot make out if those injured ones are the civilians or the ones who fired," said Ahmed, a mechanic.

Payne spoke with the interim government's president and prime minister during the short visit. AU soldiers provided security for Payne.