Somali insurgents seize police base

Mogadishu: Islamist rebels firing rocket-propelled grenades briefly seized a major police base at the centre of Somalia's capital, residents said on Friday.

Witnesses said the insurgents took control of the compound late on Thursday and burnt at least one government truck mounted with a heavy gun before retreating.

Islamist spokesman Abdirahim Issa Adow said their forces killed eight policemen, while two of their fighters died.

Government officials could not immediately be reached for comment.