A suicide bomb in Mogadishu has killed at least four people say police and Somalia media. The Islamist militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the blast with a warning that it would mount more attacks.

The police say they intercepted a car loaded with explosives and that a suicide bomber was in the vehicle.

The blast happened near the Somalia parliament building a few hundred metres from the presidential compound.

The militant group which is linked to al-Qaeda has vowed to step up its attacks during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Earlier this week a prominent MP, Ahmed Mohamud Hayd was shot dead in a drive-by attack which was claimed by al-Shabab.

The group lost control of Mogadishu in 2011 and has since carried out several bombings.