Somalia's Al-Qaeda-inspired Shebab rebels attacked the presidential palace in Mogadishu overnight, sparking a battle that left at least 14 civilians dead. Officials and witnesses said today that Government forces backed by African Union troops retaliated to fend off the insurgents, whose offensive against the presidential compound came as President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed was attending a conference in Turkey. The Shebab fighters launched their main attack on thenorthern Shibis and Bondhere neighbourhoods of the seasidecapital late Saturday. After a brief lull, the battle resumedat dawn today.