20100823
reuters

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Hundreds of mainly Ugandan troops have arrived in Mogadishu to strengthen an African Union peacekeeping force helping Somalia's government battle Islamist insurgents, an AU official said on Monday.

Al Shabaab, which is linked to al Qaeda, and another Islamist militia have been fighting Somalia's government since the start of 2007.

Uganda said last month it was willing to send an additional 2,000 peacekeeping troops to the anarchic country after more than 70 people were killed in two coordinated blasts while watching the World Cup final in Kampala.

Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Ugandan soldiers make up the bulk of the 6,100 strong mission known as AMISOM, while soldiers from Burundi protect the presidential palace and guarding the airport.

"The additional troops began arriving last Friday, they were airlifted to different areas and of course they will continue to arrive," said Wafula Wamunyinyi, AU deputy special representative for Somalia.

He declined to give further details at a news conference.

African leaders meeting in Uganda last month lifted a cap of 8,100 on troop levels in Somalia. IGAD -- a bloc of East African Nations -- Guinea and Djibouti also pledged to send troops.