Al-Shabaab said its sympathizers carried out the attack that took place in the city centre, near the presidential palace.

The group’s spokesman Ali Mohamud Rage told Sunatimesthe bombing was carried out by their supporters.

“Action has been taken by sympathisers of the Al-Shabaab, who were angry with the situation in Somalia, especially the intervention by foreign troops,” he told sunatimes.

“We did not directly order the attacks, but there are lots of angry people in Somalia who support our fight and want to change the situation.”

The dead included the former editor of Somali National TV, Liban Ali Nur, two other journalists and two policemen, according to the BBC.

The restaurant where the attack took place is a popular haunt for civil servants and journalists.

The attack happened at a time just before evening prayers when it is crowded with people, meeting up to exchange gossip and the latest happenings in government over a tea or coffee.

Thursday’s double suicide bombing at the Village restaurant is the second attack since a new president was sworn in last week.

Reports say one bomber blew himself up inside, then the second let off his device when crowds gathered near the restaurant.