Somali MP killed after being mistaken for militant

A government minister in Somalia has been shot dead by security forces who mistook him for an Islamist militant.

Abas Abdullahi Sheikh, 31, was killed near the presidential palace in the capital, Mogadishu, as he was driven in his vehicle.

State radio has reported that President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed has cut short his trip to Ethiopia.

Mogadishu mayoral spokesman Abdifatah Omar Halane said that Mr Abas was killed "by mistake – they opened fire on his car accidentally. May God rest his soul".

'Nation of conflict'

Security forces on patrol came across a vehicle blocking the road and, thinking it was being driven by militants, opened fire, police Major Nur Hussein told Reuters news agency.

The country is currently battling militant Islamists from the al-Shabab group, which is affiliated to al-Qaeda.

Somalia has been torn apart by conflict since the long-serving ruler Siad Barre was ousted in 1991.

Abas Abdullahi Sheikh grew up in a refugee camp before becoming Somalia's youngest MP.

He became a minister in February this year.