Suicide bomber kills 2 at Somali president's lodge

MOGADISHU - An official says a suicide bomber detonated explosives inside the presidential palace compound in Somalia, killing two people.

Mohamed Ali, a police officer at the state house, said Tuesday that the man blew himself up after he was questioned by soldiers manning a checkpoint in the palace complex known as Villa Somalia.

Villa Somalia has a large compound with several buildings and checkpoints. Ali says the bomber was four more checkpoints away from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's home. The president is said to be out of the country on state business.

Mohamud survived an assassination attempt on his second day in office in September when two suicide bombers blew themselves up while trying to gain access into a heavily guarded hotel serving as his temporary residence.