Gunmen on Friday shot dead a lawmaker in Mogadishu, the third high-profile government official to have been killed in as many days, as Somalia descended further into chaos. "We got information confirming that Mohamed Husein Addow was shot down, we can confirm that he is dead," deputy transport minister Mohamed Dhere told AFP.
Addow was a staunch supporter of Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the war-torn country's internationally-backed president who has been under intense pressure since a massive insurgent offensive was launched six weeks ago.
Police official Colonel Bahir Mohamed said an investigation was under way to determine the circumstances of the killing. According to witnesses, fighting had taken place in his northern Karan neighbourhood. The MP was reportedly captured and executed by hard-line insurgents who had gained control of the area.