MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Explosions sounding like mortar shells were heard on Sunday in the area of Mogadishu airport where parliamentarians were meeting to elect a new president, residents said.

       "I counted three big sounds of mortar shells landing in the direction of the airport. We are shocked to hear those sounds of mortars at a time (when) Mogadishu is under a complete curfew. Who is firing them?" said Mogadishu resident Halima Ibrahim.

       A Reuters reporter in the city also heard blasts.

       (Reporting by Abdi Sheikh; Writing by Andrew Cawthorne; Editing by Gareth Jones)