Egypt strongly condemned on Saturday the terrorist attack that targeted a hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, killing and injuring a number of innocent civilians. According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the "government and people of Egypt express their deep condolences to the Federal Republic of Somalia and the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to all those injured." Egypt also reaffirmed its full solidarity with the brotherly Somalia in this painful ordeal, stressing its total rejection of all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism 13 people were killed in the attack by the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militants on the Hyatt Hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on Friday evening. Witnesses reported hearing explosions during the night as government forces tried to take control of the hotel from gunmen. Reuters quoted eyewitnesses as saying that the clashes destroyed large parts of the hotel. The Hyatt Hotel is a venue that was frequented by members of Parliament and other government officials. Friday's attack was the first major one since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed took office in May.
