Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed has escaped unscathed from the ambush carried out by militants in the country, reports say.

Somalia’s al-Qaeda linked al-Shabab militants ambushed the president’s convoy on Tuesday, claiming to have fired rocket-propelled grenades at the vehicles.

The attack occurred near the small settlement of Buffow, close to the port of Merka, 100 kilometers (60 miles) south of the capital.

The diplomatic sources have confirmed that the president and his entourage have reached the port of Merka after the ambush safely.

The Somali capital has been the scene of frequent attacks since the fighters were driven out of the city two years ago.

The al-Qaeda affiliated fighters ambushed the convoy of former Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed in May 2012. He also escaped the attempted attack unharmed.

The al-Shabab group has vowed to topple President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who took office in September 2012 after being chosen by the country's parliament.