Somali Islamists strike at U.N.

The charred wreckage of a car lies scattered at the entrance to a United Nations compound in Mogadishu, Somalia.

The blast was the prelude to an armed assault on the compound that left four U.N. security staff, four local guards and seven insurgents dead, according to the Interior Ministry.

Islamist group al Shabaab have claimed responsibility for the attack.

The compound - which houses several buildings for the United Nations Development Program - is now secure after withstanding a gunfight that lasted more than 90 minutes.

This is the first notable attack on U.N. premises by al Shabaab since they were driven out of the capital about two years go.

The violence deals a blow to fragile security gains that have allowed a slow return of foreign aid workers and diplomats.