Somali blast kills 7 at premier's rally

MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 3 (UPI) -- Seven people were killed and more than 25 others injured when a grenade targeting Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi exploded at a stadium Tuesday.

Ghedi had just begun speaking to several thousand Somalis at the Mogadishu sports facility when the grenade was tossed, landing several yards from him, the BBC reported.

He was rushed away by security staff as the crowds milled for exits.

Ghedi's transitional government is operating in exile in Nairobi in neighboring Kenya, and has been under pressure by the United Nations and foreign donors to return to Somalia. The country has been without a central government since 1991 when clan-based warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

Just before the grenade attack, Ghedi said the government would relocate to Mogadishu if it became less dangerous.

As many as 10,000 regional peacekeepers are due to start arriving in coming weeks to provide security for the government.