Mogadishu, Oct 5 (IANS): Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has strongly condemned Tuesday's suicide attack in Mogadishu in which 70 people died and 150 suffered injuries.

The attack occurred when a suicide bomber detonated a car packed with explosives near the education ministry in this Somali capital, Xinhua reported.

According to a statement issued from the president's office, President Sheikh Ahmed "strongly condemned the shameful and cowardly suicide attack on innocent Somalis, many of whom were young students waiting for their results at the ministry of education,"

Describing the attack as "an inhumane act" by the radical group, the president expressed his condolences to the people of Somalia.

"I am extremely shocked and saddened by this cruel and inhumane act of violence against the most vulnerable in our society," the statement quoted the President as saying.

Meanwhile, hospitals were having a tough time, coping the influx of the injured as health centers said they were running out of blood and medical supplies, with dozens of wounded people visiting various hospitals.

The Islamist rebel group of Al Shabaab officially claimed responsibility for the deadly attack.

The attack marked the first major assault by the radical Islamist group Al Shabaab since they withdrew from the Somali capital in August this year after a big government offensive to drive them out of the city.
Al Shabaab has often targeted Somali government as well as African Union peacekeeping forces.
A pro-Al Shabaab website described Tuesday's attack as "martyrdom operation", claiming that it targeted a ceremony at a government building where cabinet ministers were attending.
Somalia has not had a functional government since warlords ousted the government of Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. Government forces have tried to restore order but without success.