MOGADISHU, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- A suicide car bomb exploded outside a restaurant near the presidential palace in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Thursday, killing the attacker and injuring at least three other people, officials and eyewitnesses said.
Eyewitnesses said a suicide bomber rammed his vehicle loaded with explosives into the popular Village Restaurant, before a loud blast was heard.
"Three civilians were injured in the suicide car bomb attack, the suicide bomber died. He wanted to kill many people, but it did not happen as the security forces thwarted his bid," said Abdifitah Omar Halane, a spokesman for the Mogadishu municipal government.
He did not give further details. A security official told Xinhua that the car overturned before it exploded.
No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, but Somalia-based Islamist group Al-Shabaab stages frequent attacks in the country in its fight against the government.
The attack came as members of the Somali Parliament are expected to hold their first session and take oath. The process seems to have been delayed.
Security has been tightened in Mogadishu ahead of the Dec. 28presidential election.
