1st LD Writethru: UN chief condemns deadly hotel attack in Somalia

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms" the attack perpetrated by Al Shabaab Sunday on the Al-Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia, resulting in a number of casualties and injuries, according to a statement of the secretary-general's spokesperson.

The attack resulted in a number of casualties and injuries, including to staff of diplomatic missions of several countries whose missions were based in the hotel, said the statement.

A suicide bomber detonated his car at the gate of the hotel in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, and killing 15 people, with most of them being civilians.

The secretary-general conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to their governments, and wishes the injured a swift recovery, said the statement.

"The Secretary-General affirms that this egregious attack will not deter the United Nations and international partners from our steadfast commitment to help the people and Government of Somalia realize a peaceful future for their country," said the statement.

A Chinese national, who was an armed guard, was killed and three other staffers were injured in the blast, the Chinese embassy in Somalia confirmed on Monday.

Located near Mogadishu international airport, the six-storied building is one of the luxury hotels in Mogadishu, and which houses foreign embassies and sometimes hosts government high-level meetings. Endite