Six die in clashes in Somali govt seat - reports

MOGADISHU, June 9 (Reuters) At least six people were killed today in the town of Baidoa in fighting between local militiamen and bodyguards of Somalia's interim president, local journalists said.

President Abdullahi Yusuf was not present during the clash, they said, adding that the fighting erupted after a dispute at a checkpoint in the town, seat of the weak interim administration.

The journalists, speaking by telephone, said the clash seemed unrelated to battles for control of the capital Mogadishu between Islamist militias and forces allied to a self-styled anti-terrorism coalition of warlords.

REUTERS SHR ND1712