Reports from Somalia say there has been further factional fighting in the southern town of Baidoa.

Residents said control of the town changed hands several times during the clashes.

The faction leader, Hussein Mohamed Aidid, travelled from the capital, Mogadishu, to Baidoa with two hundred militiamen following an appeal by his troops for reinforcements.

Mr Aideed's forces are reported to have suffered heavy casualties during fighting near the airport but later re-captured control of Baidoa from the Rahanwein Resistance Army.