At least seven people have been killed and more than six wounded after heavy fighting between militia groups in the southern Somali port town of Kismayu.

One civilian was among the dead. Reports say the fighting flared after a heavily guarded truck was ambushed by members of a rival gang. Both sides are said to have been heavily reinforced.

The truck at the centre of the fighting was carrying khat -- a narcotic leaf popular with many Somalians. Correspondents say the incident appears to have been a bandit raid which escalated after gunmen opened fire.

Kismayu was reported to be calm this morning although tension remained high and business in the area had come to a halt.

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