More attacks in Somalia's capital

Hundreds of civilians have been wounded by the fighting

Five people have been killed in several attacks in Somalia's capital, including a relative of the prime minister.

An in-law of Ali Mohamed Ghedi was waylaid by armed gunmen near a main market in Mogadishu though it is unclear if this was a political attack.

African Union representatives are in Mogadishu to lay the groundwork for its planned deployment of peacekeepers.

The UN says 15,000 people have fled Mogadishu in February as violent attacks have escalated.

Dozens of people have been killed in recent weeks and there are fears that Somalia is descending back into the chaos seen before the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) restored calm to the capital last year.

Islamists threatened to launch an insurgency after they were ousted by Ethiopian troops and government forces two months ago.

Guns

But interim government spokesman Hussein Mohamoud Mohammed blamed the growing number of attacks on the large number of people with weapons in the capital.

"This trend of violence may increase unless the African Union troops are deployed to assist the government in the disarming process," warned Mr Mohammed.

The AU is planning an 8,000 strong peacekeeping mission for Somalia but so far only half of the required soldiers have been contributed by member states.

Reports indicate that Uganda may deploy its first batch of soldiers to Mogadishu this week.

Nigeria has said its 850 soldiers will be deployed from the middle of April in three phases.

Other countries that have pledged to send troops are Ghana, Burundi and Malawi.