The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) says unidentified gunmen shot and wounded one of its journalists in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

The broadcaster says Kate Peyton was rushed to a local hospital after the attack and underwent surgery. Hospital officials say she is in stable condition.

Witnesses say the attackers opened fire on Ms. Peyton outside her hotel (Sahafi Hotel) and fled the scene in a vehicle.

A colleague working with her was unhurt in the attack.

Ms. Peyton had traveled from her home in South Africa this week to report on a visit by Somalia's new government to Mogadishu.

Somali officials are readying plans to move the new government from its current base in Kenya later this month. Somalia has been without a central government for 14 years, having been ruled by warring factional leaders.

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.