At least 14 killed in attack launched by militant group

Gunmen stormed a hotel in Somalia's seaside capital on Saturday, taking guests hostage and "shooting at everyone they could see", before security forces pursued the grenade-throwing assailants to the top floor and ended the hours-long assault, police and witnesses said. At least 14 people were killed.

Islamic extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the latest in a series of hotel attacks in Mogadishu, one that began with a powerful explosion at the entry gate.

"We have finally ended the siege. The last remaining militants were killed on the top floor," police Captain Mohamed Hussein said after security forces cornered the gunmen, who had set up sniper posts on the roof of the Nasa-Hablod hotel. Police said at least four gunmen were involved in the attack, and two were killed.