Somali insurgents shoot at US congressman

MOGADISHU (Agencies)

An American congressman came under mortar fire Monday as he was leaving in a plane from Mogadishu airport as Somali insurgents made good on their promise to target Americans in revenge for the rescue of a U.S. captain in which three pirates were killed.

"The plane of the congressman was leaving and the mortars started falling. There were no casualties, but the attack was aimed at the congressman. He flew out safely," an African Union official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Donald Payne, a member of the House Foreign Affairs committee, arrived Monday for talks with the Somali president and prime minister, according to a Somali government spokesman, Abdulkadir Walayo, on what is believed to be the first visit to the Somali capital by a senior American politician for years.
Earlier Monday, a Somali pirate chief threatened to target Americans in revenge for the rescue of a U.S. captain in a dramatic operation that killed three pirates under his command.

Barack Obama granted the Pentagon's request to use drastic measures to save the life of the captain, authorizing the use of deadly force against Somali pirates late Sunday.

" The American liars have killed our friends after they agreed to free the hostage without ransom, but I tell you that this matter will lead to retaliation and we will hunt down particularly American citizens travelling our waters "
Pirate Abdi Garad

"The American liars have killed our friends after they agreed to free the hostage without ransom, but I tell you that this matter will lead to retaliation and we will hunt down particularly American citizens travelling our waters," Abdi Garad told AFP by phone from the pirate lair of Eyl.

"It is never the end of the world and we will intensify our attacks even reaching very far away from Somalia waters, and next time we get American citizens... they (should) expect no mercy from us."

The U.S. Navy said Captain Richard Phillips' life was in danger when snipers aboard a U.S. destroyer shot his captors on Sunday, freeing him unharmed and killing three of four pirates who had taken him after trying to seize his vessel. The fourth was in custody.

It took only three shots to end the invasion. In an interview with media, Admiral William Gortney said the snipers killed each pirate with a single shot in the darkness describing the soldiers as "extremely, extremely well-trained."

The pirates had been holding Phillips after his U.S. crewmates forced them off the vessel on Wednesday. They had been demanding an unspecified ransom for his release.
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U.S. politician flies into Mogadishu

Payne flew into Mogadishu on Monday flanked by six bodyguards, witnesses said.

Somali officials say Payne discussed ways the international community could help the government, and the issue of piracy, during a visit that lasted just a few hours.

African Union soldiers, who are in Somalia on a peacekeeping mission, also provided security for Payne on his visit to one of the world's most dangerous cities.

Payne, 74, a New Jersey Democrat, is in his 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives and was first elected in 1988. He is chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's subcommittee on Africa and global health.

[link to www.alarabiya.net]