The attack on Thursday at the Shamo Hotel claimed at least 22 lives, including three transitional federal government ministers, three journalists and some students. [Xinhua]

The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Friday condemned the bloody suicide bombing in the Somali capital, urging an end to "mindless killings."

"I condemn the suicide bombing that has inflicted loss on both the academic and the media communities of Mogadishu," said Irina Bokova, the director-general of Paris-based UNESCO.

The attack on Thursday at the Shamo Hotel claimed at least 22 lives, including three transitional federal government ministers, three journalists and some students.

"I call on all the authorities to put an end to these mindless killings that compromise the future of the whole country," she added.