Gunmen attack Ethiopian troops in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Gunmen attacked Ethiopian troops in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Sunday, residents said, as Somali and U.S. officials vowed to work together to stabilize the chaotic state.

In the second day of violence in Mogadishu directed at Ethiopian troops, Somali gunmen opened fire on the forces backing the interim government.

"Fierce fighting went on for 15 minutes. I could hear sounds of heavy machine guns rattling," said a resident, who lives nearby, adding that fighting was so fierce it lit up the area.

A witness said a young girl was killed while another resident said he was wounded in the shoot out at the site where just days ago a hand grenade was thrown at Ethiopian soldiers.

"The insurgents came with two vehicles and opened fire at government forces holding defenses outside a compound where the Ethiopian soldiers are staying," a government source said.

"The Ethiopians were inside. Fighting ensued. Heavy fire was exchanged, one anti-tank rocket was launched by the insurgents."

A taxi driver in the area said three trucks carrying Ethiopian soldiers were attacked first: "It was a very heavy exchange. I was forced to lie down to avoid being hit," he said.

He added that the gunmen fled, while another witness said the soldiers later drove away toward the seaport.

The violence came after Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi and Washington's top diplomat for Africa, Jendayi Frazer, met in Nairobi.

"We are going to work together for the stabilization of Somalia," Gedi said after meeting the envoy.

Frazer has been shuttling around the region as Western and African diplomats discuss an African peacekeeping force for Somalia after two weeks of war that saw Ethiopian and government troops force out Islamists who had controlled much of the south.

Frazer has said Washington was donating $16 million to help fund the proposed force and she has called for dialogue.