Somalia: Mogadishu car bomb outside Federal Parliament kills 1 police officer 7 Nov 7, 2012 - 11:30:20 PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia Nov 7 2012 (Garowe Online) - A car bomb that exploded in front of Mogadishu's Federal Parliament on Wednesday killed one officer and injured two civilians Wednesday afternoon, Garowe Online reports. The car was packed with explosives was parked among other cars in front of the Mogadishu Federal Parliament across from a Mosque and was detonated as MPs were leaving parliament headed to prayers.
The bomb killed one officer, who according to local sources, was in close proximity of the vehicle when the blast occurred and also injured two civilians.
“One police officer was killed in the blast. There were no other casualties in the blast,” said Gen. Mohamed Abdulle.
Conflicting reports say that the two civilians were under age kids on their way to the Mosque, however the reports have yet to be confirmed.
The blast did not injure any MPs or government officials Wednesday afternoon.
African Union’s AMISOM forces and Somali government police protect the Federal Parliament in Mogadishu. However the attackers managed to penetrate the tight security around the government building.
Al Shabaab did not claim the attack and Somali authorities are investigating the midday blast.
A string of attacks has reeled Mogadishu’s security officials and worried residents who have seen a relative decrease in attacks in recent months. This is the second bombing in the past 4 days.
Last week, a double suicide bombing outside the Village restaurant killed 1 person. The restaurant was attacked in September killing over 40 people.
The infant Somali Federal Government led by elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud officially selected a compact Cabinet of Ministers earlier this week and is preparing to complete the list of Ministers in the recent days.
The Somali Federal Government has the momentous task of trying to maintain security in the war-torn capital of Mogadishu.
