A Somali police officer says five people, including the country's deputy labor minister, have been killed in an Islamic extremist attack on a government building in the capital.
Captain Mohamed Hussein said the minister, Saqar Ibrahim Abdalla, was killed in his ground floor office shortly after gunmen stormed the building in Mogadishu.
At least five gunmen stormed the building after a suicide car bombing at the gates.
Somali security forces, fighting to take control of the building, were exchanging fire with the militants.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the ongoing attack, saying that its fighters were inside the building, which is located not far from the headquarters of the Somali intelligence agency.
The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab frequently carries out suicide bombings targeting public places and government offices. Hotels and restaurants are also attacked.
Australian Associated Press
