Eight dead in Somali suicide attack

At least eight Somalis are dead after a suicide bomber targeted a convoy in Somalia's capital Mogadishu.

The Sunday attack hit a convoy transporting a visiting delegation of Qataris, who were in a bullet-proof vehicle owned by the interior minister.

Authorities told Reuters the delegation is safe, but offered no other details.

Witnesses said the suicide bomber rammed the convoy in a vehicle laden with explosives, leaving only destruction in the attacker's wake.

(SOUNDBITE) (Somali) WITNESS, FATIMA NOR, SAYING:

"I have seen a lot of people lying on the ground and most of them are wounded and crying. I was shocked at the scene."

The Islamist rebel group al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the suicide mission and threatened further strikes against the government.