Somali woman MP shot dead by Islamists

Nairobi - A Somali member of parliament famed for political and patriotic songs she sang over decades was shot dead on Wednesday in Mogadishu by Islamist gunmen, a fellow lawmaker and Islamist rebels said.

"Gunmen killed MP Saado Ali Warsame and another clerk for the parliament," legislator Dahir Amin Jesow said, referring to the well-known singer, believed to be in her 70s. She was one of fewer than 30 women MPs in the 275-seat parliament, MPs said.

The Islamist group al Shabaab claimed responsibility.

Warsame became the fourth lawmaker killed this year in militant attacks that increasingly target members of Somalia's parliament. This is the second drive-by shooting of a lawmaker since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, during which scores of civilians and government troops have been killed in militant attacks.

Warsame's driver was also killed in the attack which happened in Mogadishu's Hodan district, considered to be one of the safest places in the seaside city because of heavy security presence, according to Hussein.