Gunmen storm parliament building

MOGADISHU (AP):Militants in Mogadishu yesterday carried out a multi-pronged, complex attack against the country's parliament building involving a car bomb, suicide bomber and gunmen on foot, police said.

Frightened members of parliament blamed the military for failing to prevent the attack, but other politicians praised the army for limiting the damage.

At least seven people were killed, including six attackers and one soldier who reportedly tried to stop a suicide bomber from entering the building.

Other officials later indicated that more people died in the assault but gave no figures.

Many members of parliament were inside the building as the attack unfolded, and they made a mad scramble to flee. Two were wounded by gunfire, said legislator Mohamed Ali.

Parliamentarian Dahir Amin Jesow, who was inside parliament debating Somalia's development bank when the attack began, said he and his fellow legislators evacuated through the back of the building. No gunman entered parliament, he said.