We have destroyed the would be suicide car truck� Major Barigye Ba-hoku, the spokesman of AU peacekeepers in Mogadishu told Sunatimes.

�It was a desperate attack, two of our soldiers sustained minor injuries� he added.

The powerful blast made shattering windows in nearby buildings, with gunshots and ambulance sirens heard minutes later as emergency services rushed to the scene.

It comes as AU peacekeepers established that base a week ago to extend their controlled areas and protect the presidential house.

Security officials have warned that a protracted political tension could give insurgents an opportunity to further destabilise the war racked horn of Africa nation.