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                   Blast, Gunfire at Popular Mogadishu Hotel

   by VOA News

   A huge explosion has rocked one of the major hotels in Somalia's
   capital, Mogadishu.

   Security sources told VOA the explosion hit the Maka al-Mukarama Hotel
   late Friday afternoon, local time.

   Witnesses said they heard a huge blast near the hotel gate, followed by
   gunfire a few moments later.

   The Reuters news agency cites police as saying fighters from militant
   group al-Shabab are inside the building.

   The hotel is popular with members of parliament and Somalis from the
   diaspora, and has been attacked on at least three previous occasions.

   Material for this report came from Reuters.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-blast-gunfire-at-popular-mogadish
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/reu-blast-gunfire-at-popular-mogadishu-hotel/2696816.html