A Somali official told AFP that the death toll from suicide bombings carried out by the Islamist al-Shabaab movement in central Somalia earlier in the week had risen to at least 30 people.

Another 58 people were injured when three car bombs exploded in the city of Beledweyne, which recently witnessed military operations by Somali forces against al-Qaeda-linked militants.

State health minister Hirshapel and a deputy county commissioner were among those killed when suicide bombers attacked government offices in the city.

Eyewitnesses said, according to a French agency, that the massive destruction was caused by terrorist attacks carried out by the al-Shabaab movement, which has been waging a bloody rebellion against the central government for 15 years.

Somalia’s newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud condemned the attack as national forces, backed by local militias and international allies, are waging a military campaign against al-Qaeda.

But the Governor of Hiran indicated that negligence had played a part in the attack on Baldwin and urged the police and army officials to take their responsibilities and added: “Responsibility must be held. no one has been arrested so far. With regard to this crime, I ask the Somali government to investigate the police and intelligence leaders in the area.”