Abdullahi Yusuf Amhed (file photo)

Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Amhed says he will hold a national reconciliation conference in the coming weeks to help the country return to peace.

Speaking during a Thursday visit to London, Mr. Yusuf said the conference will be open to moderate Islamists. He said the only conditions for taking part in the talks are to lay down weapons, renounce violence and be committed to a peaceful Somalia.

Ethiopian and Somali government troops drove Islamist forces from the capital, Mogadishu, late last year. Since then, insurgents have mounted frequent attacks, which have killed many people, mainly civilians.

At least two mortar rounds landed near Mogadishu's international airport Thursday, but no injuries were reported. And officials say unknown gunmen shot to death two local government officials in the capital late Wednesday.