| GEO World | | Somali security minister killed in explosion | Updated at: 1938 PST, Thursday, June 18, 2009
 MOGADISHU: Somalia's information minister said the country's national security minister has been killed in an explosion in a western town.
Farhan Ali Mohamud declined to give any other details on the death of National Security Minister Omar Hashi Aden.
Mohamed Nur, who witnessed the bombing in Belet Weyne, says a small car drove toward the gate of the Medina Hotel, drove into vehicles leaving the hotel and exploded.
Medical officials said at least 20 people have died in the apparent suicide bombing.
Belet Weyne is the capital of the central Somali region of Hiran. It is close to the border with Ethiopia.
Somalia has not had an effective government for 18 years after warlords overthrew a longtime dictator and plunged the country into anarchy and chaos. |  |
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