Italy Unable to Rescue Foreigners in Somalia
Heavy fighting on Friday again stalled efforts to rescue foreigners trapped in Somalia’s capital, officials said.
Italy said it will close its diplomatic mission in Mogadishu, the capital, as soon as foreigners taking shelter there could be evacuated.
Friday’s fighting forced two Italian military planes sent to rescue 50 Italians and about 40 others in the embassy to return empty to the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa.
In 13 days of fighting between the rebels and government forces, more than 1,500 people have been reported killed.
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