Radical Islamist group al-Shabaab, which is struggling to oust the weak Western-backed government, exchanged mortar fire with African Union-backed government forces.

The fighting has forced hundreds of people, including women, children and the elderly, to flee their homes. African Union tanks were in the streets to support the government soldiers.

On Tuesday, insurgents dressed as government security forces opened fire on guests in the Muna Hotel, which lies in one of the few government-controlled areas in Mogadishu, before detonating suicide vests. Thirty-two people were killed.

The Somali government originally said six members of parliament were among the dead, but officials later revised that number down to four and blamed a mix-up during the counting of bodies.

The United Nations, African Union and European Union all condemned the attack, which came as part of a renewed offensive by the al-Qaeda linked militants.

Approximately 6,000 peacekeepers from Uganda and Burundi are positioned to protect the weak Western-backed government in Somalia.