An undated photo shows new Somalia's Prime Minister Colonel Nur Hassan Hussein, 22 November 2007

Somalia's presidential palace has come under mortar attack, shortly after the country's prime minister arrived at the compound.

Witnesses and officials in Mogadishu say at least eight mortar shells landed in the area of the presidential residence Sunday. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein had arrived at the compound a short time earlier to announce he is moving his office to war-ravaged Mogadishu. He was previously based in the town of Baidoa, where he was appointed by parliament last November.

Mr. Hussein says his priorities in Mogadishu will be promoting reconciliation and improving security.

Islamist insurgents have repeatedly attacked the presidential palace in their war against the Somali government and allied Ethiopian troops.

In another development, several hundred Burundian troops left for Mogadishu today to join an African Union peacekeeping force.

Burundi deployed its first contingent of peacekeepers to Somalia last month. It is only the second nation to contribute troops to the AU force, following Uganda.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.