Somalia's presidential palace attacked by Al Shabab

Mogadishu, July 8 (IANS) Islamist militants of the Al Shabab outfit Tuesday attacked the heavily-fortified presidential palace here in the Somalia capital, a media report said.

Heavy gunfire and explosions ensued between the militants and security men. An Al Shabab spokesman said fighting was still going on, BBC reported.

The report said Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was not at the palace at the time of the attack.

The Al Qaeda-inspired Al Shabab group lost control of Mogadishu in 2011, but has been active in recent days.

The group has vowed to step up attacks during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

On Saturday, a suicide car bomb exploded near parliament, killing at least four people.