US congressman escapes injury in mortar attack at Somali airport

Mogadishu: Assailants have fired mortar shells at the Mogadishu airport as a plane carrying an American congressman took off.

The plane departed safely, but 19 Somalis were reported wounded in surrounding residential areas.

US Rep. Don Payne, who met Somalia's leaders during his one-day visit, said that he had no idea of the violence until reaching Kenya after the flight from Mogadishu.

He said that the aircraft noise probably drowned out the sound of the mortars.

The Islamic extremist group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Payne says he discussed cooperation between Somalia and the US on piracy.

He said the Somalis have a plan to reduce piracy, which they will present to Washington in two or three weeks.