Six Somali MPs among dozens killed in an attack at a hotel in Mogadishu

Somalia's transitional government has been dealt a heavy blow.

Six members of parliament are among at least 33 people who were killed in an attack by gunmen at a hotel near the presidential palace in Mogadishu.

The two attackers then blew themselves up.

The early morning incident follows heavy overnight clashes between government troops - who are backed by the African Union peacekeeping force (AMISOM) - and the Islamist al-Shabab militants.

The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan gave details from Mogadishu.