African Union chairperson Moussa Faki has condemned an attack by Al-Shabab militants on a military base in central Somalia manned by Burundian soldiers.

The AU has not yet released the number of casualties in the attack at the base, which is some 130km (80 miles) north-east of the capital, Mogadishu.

But Al-Shabab militants claimed to have killed more than 170 soldiers and taken complete control of the AU base. This has not been independently confirmed.

In a statement, Mr Faki said the "attack will not lessen the determination" of the African Union (AU) force in Somalia.

He called on the international community to increase support to the Somali security services and the AU mission in Somalia.

Mr Faki has also had a phone call with Burundi's president to "pay respects for the sacrifice" of the Burundi peacekeepers.