London BBC World Service program (in English) — 0900 GMT

There are conflicting reports about the situation in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, where the confrontation between government troops and rebel forces is now in its third day.

Yesterday, heavy fighting was reported to have continued until nightfall with the rebel United Somali Congress, one of several groups fighting for the overthrow of President Siad Barre, saying its forces have controlled most of the city, including the radio and television stations.

The rebels say the president was trapped and surrounded in a military barracks in Mogadishu airport. But an Italian diplomat in the city said President Siad Barre, who has been in power for more than 20 years, was directing operations together with his government from a fortified command post.

The prime minister, Mr. Mohamed Hawadle Madar, said in a broadcast that the Army had repelled what he called heavily armed bandits. Both sides have spoken of heavy casualties in the rebel offensive which began at the weekend.

_{FBIS-AFR-91-001, 2 Jan. 1991, p. 9}