Lawmaker shot dead, dozens killed in fighting in southern Somalia

(MENAFN- Saudi Press Agency) Somali authorities said Saturday that a lawmaker was shot dead by al-Shabaab in Mogadishu, while dozens of soldiersand members of the Islamist group were killed in heavy fighting inthe south of the country, dpa reported.
Al-Shabaab militants drove past the vehicle carrying Yusuf Mohamed Dirir and opened fire, police representative Mohamed Dahird said.
Dirir died of his injuries, speaker of parliament Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari told state-run media.
The driver of the vehicle was wounded, while another legislator whowas travelling with Dirir was not harmed, Dahird said.
Security forces exchanged fire with the attackers who then drove away.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on their website.