Deadly battles in Somali capital

At least seven people have been killed after Somali government forces launched an attack in an attempt to drive  opposition fighters from the capital, Mogadishu.Witnesses said at least four members of the al-Shabab armed group were among the dead as well as a journalist from Shabelle Radio, a local independent station in the clashes on Friday.Farhan Mahdi, a Somali military spokesman said: "This is a large military offensive against violent people."The government will sweep them out of the capital and the fighting will continue until that happens."The government has claimed that it has regained control of three areas of Mogadishu - Tarbunka, Bakara and Howlwadag - since the battles began before dawn.