Somali pirates have boarded a ship heading for Mogadishu harbour and shot dead its Syrian captain, officials say.
The captain had refused the pirates' demand to turn the ship away from the port, officials added.
This is believed to be the first such attack so close to the Somali capital. Pirates normally launch their raids further north, especially around Eyl.
African Union peacekeepers and Somali security forces intervened and rescued the Panama-flagged ship.
The AU mission is in charge of security at the Mogadishu port.
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in the city says the attack has led to security concerns among port officials.
Three crew members were reportedly also injured in the violence.
Somalia's Minister for Ports Abdiasis Hassan told the Reuters news agency that normally police are sent out to escort commercial ships into port. read more
