The incident came as President Hassan Sheikh was meeting with the Kenyan Foreign Minister, Professor Samuel Ongeri in the presence of international media.

Initial reports indicated that three suicide bombers dressed in Somali uniform attempted to enter the Jazeera Hotel, near Kilometer 4 in Mogadishu.

The attackers were intercepted by security forces and were killed before they were able to enter the hotel. An AMISOM soldier was killed and three more wounded while a number of Somali security personnel were also injured in the attack.

“This atrocious attack comes only two days after a milestone vote where the Somali Parliament overwhelmingly and transparently elected Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as President, giving to Somalia a renewed hope for a better future”, said SRSG Mahiga.

“I am relieved that the President and the Kenyan Foreign Minister are unharmed and deeply saddened by the deplorable loss of life,” he added.

Mahiga sent his condolences to the families of the victims and paid tribute to AMISOM and Somali security forces for their constant courage and determination in safeguarding the political process.

“Somalia has achieved tremendous progress over the last few months. Such attempts to push the country back into chaos and violence will not deter the Somali people’s determination to move forward,” Mahiga noted.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia said this incident reinforces their collective resolve to safeguard the achievements of the Roadmap and to advance the Somali peace process to new heights.