A suspected suicide car bomber has attacked a hotel in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, killing at least nine people and wounding many more.

The bomber attacked the Hotel Muna, which is next to the Somali presidential palace, and is known as a residence and gathering point for Somali lawmakers.

Officials say the bomber set off a car full of explosives Wednesday at a cafe outside the hotel where many people were sitting.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Militants attacked the same hotel in August of 2010.