Gunmen attack hotel in Mogadishu

Unidentified gunmen on Friday sparked a fierce gun battle in a hotel near the presidential palace in Somali capital Mogadishu, police said.

"No casualties were confirmed, while a number of people were trapped inside the building amid sporadic exchanges of gunfire," Xinhua quoted police officer Ahmed Shire as saying.

"A huge car bomb explosion targeted Wahliye hotel near the presidential palace. First the suicide bomber detonated his car, and then gunmen stormed Wehliye hotel," he said.

"Police and security forces were still battling the militants in the hotel building," headded.