A top leader of Somalia's ousted Islamic movement, apparently afraid for his life now that the once-powerful militia has been chased into hiding, surrendered to authorities and is in custody in neighbouring Kenya, officials said today.

Clan gunmen fired a rocket-propelled grenade and briefly exchanged gunfire with government troops outside the presidential residence in Mogadishu today, leaving at least six dead and 10 wounded.

Fighting erupted today on the outskirts of Somalia's militant Islamic movement's last remaining stronghold as thousands fled advancing Ethiopian troops supported by tanks and MiG fighter jets.

Somalia's prime minister said today the suspects in the 1998 bombings of two US embassies in east Africa are sheltering in the stronghold of his country's militant Islamic movement.

Suffering continues in war-ravaged western Sudan. But to the south, after 21 years of conflict, things are looking up.