A car bomb exploded on Friday in a hotel in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, where legislators and local leaders were holding a meeting.

The explosion was followed by gunfire, but no casualties have been reported yet.

Islamist militant group al-Shabaab – linked to al-Qaeda – quickly claimed the attack, terming it a suicide attack.

"A blast occurred in Hotel Asasey in the heart of Kismayu, followed by gunfire. Local elders and lawmakers were having a meeting there. It is too early to know if there are any casualties," Reuters news agency quotes Major Mohamed Abdi, a police officer.

Images posted on social media showed a cloud of smoke rising up in Mogadishu’s skies, with residents fleeing away from the scene.

More to follow…