Al-Shabab kill 10 in Somali Hayat hotel

Security officials say 10 people have been killed after al-Shabab militants stormed a hotel in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Police said attackers detonated two explosives outside the hotel before entering the building and opening fire. They were reported to be holed up on the top floor of the Hotel Hayat, hours after the attack began.

A special police unit is said to have rescued dozens of guests and staff from the hotel. "The security forces continued to neutralise terrorists who have been cordoned inside a room in the hotel building. Most of the people were rescued, but at least eight civilians were confirmed dead so far," said an official, Mohamed Abdikadir.

Earlier, a website affiliated to al-Shabab said a group of militants had "forcibly entered" the hotel and were "carrying out random shooting". The Hayat is described as a popular location for employees of the federal government to meet.