Bombs hit Mogadishu as leaders meet at summit

Mortar shells have exploded in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, as regional leaders are gathered in the city to discuss their joint offensive against the al-Shabab militant group.

The four shells hit areas near the heavily guarded presidential palace.

There are no reports of casualties.

The leaders of Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti are holding a summit there on Wednesday following recent military gains made by the Somali government against the Islamist militants.

Al-Shabab still controls large areas of Somalia and is continuing to carry out regular attacks.

But they have lost territory since the government, backed by the US and African troops, launched a new offensive last August.