BBC producer shot in Somalia

A BBC producer was shot in the back and wounded by a militiaman not long after arriving in the lawless Somalian capital, Mogadishu, today.

Other militiamen, who were guarding Kate Peyton, an Africa producer for the corporation, gave chase but the gunman escaped.

The 39-year-old was shot while accompanied by BBC reporter Peter Greste, who was not injured.

The shooting happened outside the Sahafi Hotel.

Peyton underwent surgery at a Mogadishu hospital and doctors said she was in a stable condition.

The BBC said that her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening and her family had been informed.

The reason for the shooting was not immediately clear. There are many militiamen around the Sahafi Hotel because it is where Somali MPs are staying as they assess conditions for relocating the government from neighbouring Kenya, where it is currently based.

The assailant was chased by other militiamen who were guarding Peyton, but got away in a car, witnesses said.

Peyton had arrived in Mogadishu today on assignment from South Africa, where she is based.