Somalia - Mogadishu bombing

Islamists deny responsibility for hotel blast

Article published on the 2009-12-04 Latest update 2009-12-04 11:17 TU

Bodies are examined after an explosion at the Hotel Shamo in Mogadishu in this video grab
(Photo: Reuters)

Somalia's Al Shebab rebels have denied responsibility for Thursday's suicide-bombing in a Magadishu hotel. The blast killed at least 19 people, including three ministers.

"We have heard about that tragedy from the media. On behalf of the Shebab, we are not in anyway involved in that incident," Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage said in a statement.

The group blamed "infighting" in the ranks of the Somalia Transitional Federal Government, whose members it considers traitors to Islam.

"The apostate government is fully behind this incident which killed innocent Muslims," the statement said.

The leader of the other major Islamist group in the country, Hezb Al-Islam, also denied involvement.

The African Union, which has a military force, Amisom, in Somalia, has dubbed the attack "inhumane and cowardly".

A joint statement from the European Union, the regional InterGovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States and the United States condemned "cowardly acts of terrorism".