Two killed in Somalia riot over food

Mogadishu: Troops fired into thousands of rioting Somalis on Tuesday, killing two people in the second day of protest over soaring food prices around the world.

Rioters armed with sticks and stones smashed windshields of several cars and buses in Mogadishu. Some barricaded roads and burned tyres.

The demonstrators included women and children who protested against food traders who are rejecting old currency notes.

Many shopkeepers have rejected the old notes, which are still legal currency, saying wholesale traders and currency traders will not take them.

Residents blame this factor for the spiralling inflation and rising food prices in the country.

Local authorities and traders held crisis meetings in Mogadishu on Tuesday in a desperate move to quell the growing anger among residents.