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3rd LD: Somali gov't confirms two MPs killed in bomb attack in Mogadishu

Xinhua, February 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

More than 20 people were killed including two lawmakers and deputy prime minister hospitalized after sustaining injuries in twin explosions in Mogadishu on Friday, authorities say.

Somali Police spokesman Qasim Ahmed Roble said deputy regional administrator of Banaadir region in Mogadishu was also killed and several other people have been admitted in various hospitals in the city.

"We have now established that over 20 people, among them two lawmakers and deputy regional administrator of Banaadir. The deputy Prime Minister Mohamed Omar Arte and minister for Seaport and Transportation Ali Jamac Jangale were also injured and are recuperating in hospital," Bucul told journalists.

However, the police spokesman did not immediately confirm the identity of the rest of the victims.The upmarket Central Hotel which was attacked is normally frequented by government officials and Somali Diaspora.

Information Minister Mohamed Abdi Hayir Mareye condemned the attack, saying that investigations are ongoing.

The militant group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the car explosions. It said government officials and lawmakers were killed.

"We are behind the attack. We targeted government officials in the hotel, this is part of our operation in Mogadishu," Sheikh Abdiaziz Abu Musab, Al-Shabaab's military operations spokesman, said.

The attacks came as security around Mogadishu and its environs had been heavily tightened ahead of the visit by Djiboutian leader.

The attacks also came amid an ongoing police counter-insurgency operation which killed one Al-Shabaab militant and nabbed others. Police had reported that some of the militants had escaped and were being pursued.

Senior intelligence officials were replaced two weeks ago following a series of drive by shooting of government officials.

The insurgents have been driven out of Mogadishu and strategic towns by joint Somali National Army and Africa Union peacekeeping force (AMISOM) operations, but they still manage to launch retaliatory attacks in the city. Endi