Gunmen kill Somali minister

Unknown gunmen shot dead Somali Minister of Public Works and Reconstruction Abbas Abdullahi Sheikh Siraji on Wednesday evening in the restive Mogadishu, police and government officials said.

Somali Minister of Information and National Guidance Abdurahman Omar Osman confirmed the killing, saying the deceased was killed close to the presidential palace by gunmen.

"I can confirm that the minister of public works and reconstruction of Somalia was killed in Mogadishu in an attack this evening, Security agencies are investigating the case, may his soul rest in peace," Osman said.

He said security officers have launched investigations to establish the reason behind the killing which has sparked tension among government officials in the Horn of Africa nation.

A senior police officer said four suspected soldiers have been arrested pending investigations into the attack.

Siraji was the youngest member of the Somali Federal Parliament and became minister in the Somali cabinet in March.