The provincial commissioner of Kenya's Northeast Province, which borders Somalia, has confirmed reports that a criminal syndicate of Somalis and Kenyan sympathizers is issuing identification documents to hundreds of Somali immigrants seeking to enter Kenya. But he tells VOA that he does not know if Somali Islamist fighters are among those being smuggled into the country.

Police in Somalia say a powerful bomb blast has killed seven people in a residential area near Mogadishu. The officials say the bomb exploded early Friday in the town of Agooye, just east of the capital. They say the explosion destroyed two houses. Police say four children were among the victims.

Somalia's transitional government has reiterated its plans to hold a congress to unite striving Somali clans, asking the international community to support the process. Plans for the congress are being made as insurgents continue to attack African Union troops and other targets.

Several mortar shells have hit the Somali presidential palace in Mogadishu, hours after interim President Abdullahi Yusuf arrived at the residence.

Ethiopian troops have withdrawn from the southern Somali city of Kismayo. Somali officials on the scene say the Ethiopians left Kismayo on Thursday, leaving it in the hands of Somalia's transitional government.

Witnesses in Somalia's capital say at least 11 people have been killed in an attack on newly-arrived African Union (AU) peacekeepers.

Uganda says there are no Ugandan soldiers in Somalia at this time, contrary to recent media reports. Meanwhile, an African Union delegation has reportedly arrived in Somalia's capital to pave the way for its peacekeeping force to come to the volatile country. Cathy Majtenyi reports for VOA from Nairobi.