Somali president condemns Kenya university attack

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Friday condemned the attack by Al Shabaab gunmen on a Kenyan university, terming it "barbaric and with no place in culture and religion".

In a statement, Hassan Mohamud sent his condolences to "the families of those deceased in the attack by the merciless terrorists", Xinhua news agency reported.

He said the attack showed the need to reinforce the anti-terror cooperation between Somalia and Kenya, with the aim of eliminating the menace from the region.

"I am quite certain that we will defeat these terrorist groups. Kenyans have sacrificed their lives to bring peace into our country, and I am aware that the terrorists are not happy with that support. Their acts will not hamper our struggle to root out terrorism and bring peace and prosperity to this region," said the president.

Kenyan officials have put the death toll in the Garissa University College attack on Thursday at 147. Somalia-based militant group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the raid.