UN leader denounced Somalia bomb attack

UNITED NATIONS: UN leader Ban Ki-moon is "appalled" by Tuesday's suicide bomb attack in Somalia which which killed several dozen people, his spokesman said.

"It is incomprehensible that innocents are being senselessly targeted," Ban was quoted as saying by spokesman Martin Nesirky.

"The secretary general is appalled by the vicious suicide bomb attack targeting government offices and ministries in Mogadishu today."

Al Qaeda linked Shebab rebels have claimed responsibility for the bomber who rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a compound housing four ministries. Police said at least 57 people, including many students, were killed.

Ban said, "The attack is all the more abhorrent coming at a time when Somali political leaders, through efforts such as the recent Mogadishu Conference, have been working together to chart a peaceful political future for Somalia."

The UN leader reaffirmed his call to all parties in Somalia to "engage in dialogue" to restore lasting peace to Somalia.

The United Nations backs the country's transitional government which has struggled to impose its authority in the lawless country, now wracked by famine. (AFP)