Egypt condemns deadly bombings at a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu that have killed at least 12 people, the ministry of foreign affairs said on Tuesday. In a statement, ministry spokesman Badr Abdel-Atti saidthat Egyptians extend their condolences to the Mogadishu victims' families. Somali Islamist group Al-Shebab claimed responsibility for the attack on The Jazeera Palace, stating that the attack is a response to assaults on the group by an African Union force and the Somali government. "The devastation was huge, and so far 13 people, all of them innocent civilians, have been confirmed dead," Somali government security officer Ahmed Ali said. "Some of the wounded died last night, while other bodies were recovered under the wreckage of nearby buildings." The Jazeera Palace hotel is home to the diplomatic missions of China, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates and popular among Somali government officials and foreign visitors. "Egypt will stand firm with the Somali people in their fight against the threat of terrorism," Abdel-Atti said. http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/136400.aspx