MOGADISHU, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) has strongly condemned Friday's deadly attacks in Somali capital, Mogadishu which left at least 15 people dead and several others wounded.
Raisedon Zenenga, UN secretary-general's deputy special representative for Somalia, said increased terror attacks will not deter international community's efforts to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.
"We join the people and the Federal Government of Somalia in condemning this act of terror in no uncertain terms - such reprehensible acts of terrorism will not in any way undermine the determination of the Somali people to pursue their state-building, economic recovery and security priorities," Zenenga said in a statement issued on Friday evening.
He said the United Nations and the wider international community stand with Somalis as they struggle to reconstruct their country.
The statement comes after three vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices were detonated near the capital's Sahafi Hotel on Friday afternoon, with the car bombings then followed by an armed attack by militants.
Witnesses also said the first blast hit the wall of the Hotel Sahafi, the second car with explosives detonated between the hotel and criminal investigations department (CID) and the third car blew up on a small street behind the hotel.
Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack. The militants attempting to storm the hotel were however thwarted by security forces who killed the four attackers.
The insurgents have stepped up their assault against the government and African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) bases across south and central parts of the Horn of Africa nation.
