Car bomb in Somali capital kills at least 11

Three bombs devastated a Mogadishu hotel in an attack killing at least 11.

15:30 02 January 2014

A hotel in the Somali capital was the scene of a series of bomb attacks on Wednesday.

At least 11 died in the attack on a Mogadishu hotel which is often used by government officials.

The three blasts happened within an hour of each other in what was believed to be a heavily guarded area.

The attack has raised concerns over the safety of Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

The Guardian reported that the first two bombs at the Jazira hotel went off quickly and were followed by a gunfire retaliation by Somali security forces. Nearly an hour later, another bomb went off as military staff searched a car.

No group has claimed responsibility as yet.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, newly appointed prime minister, Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, said: "This year, 2014 is going to be the strengthening of Somali forces and the elimination of the extremists."