By Daniel Ooko

    NAIROBI, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- The international community on Thursday condemned two suicide bombings that rocked the headquarters of the African Union (AU) peacekeeping force in the war-torn Somalia.

    In a joint statement issued in Nairobi, the European Union, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, the United Nations, Norway and the United States said the attack was not only aimed at AMISOM peacekeepers, but also on the ordinary Somali population who they were helping.

    "This horrific attack is a further demonstration of the extremists' complete disregard for human lives. It is not only an attack on the AMISOM peacekeepers, but also on the ordinary Somali population who they were helping," they said.

    At least 11 people were killed in the double suicide attack on peacekeeping base in the Somali capital, claimed by Islamist insurgents.

    AMISOM spokesman reportedly said five government and AU officials had been killed in the attack, including deputy commander Major General Juvenal Niyonguruza, from Burundi.

    Two vehicles entered and then exploded in the African Union peacekeeping force compound, sending a heavy trail of black smoke into the skyline of the capital city.

    The two cars reportedly carried the United Nations insignia on their sides, according to eyewitnesses.

    The Al-Shabab group which has been waging nearly-daily attacks with AU peacekeepers and the transitional government said the attacks were revenge for a U.S. raid on Monday.

    This reportedly killed Kenyan-born Al-Qaeda suspect Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, who was wanted by Washington for attacks in Kenya and Tanzania in which over 200 people were killed and thousands maimed.

    The international community said they will not be deterred by criminal acts of the insurgents and vowed to continue all efforts aimed at pacifying the Horn of African nation.

    "Along with the Somali population, the international community pledge that we will not be deterred by such criminal acts and will continue all our efforts to ensure the return of peace and stability in Somalia," the statement said.

    "We urge Somalia's Transitional Federal Government to likewise continue its work for peace and reconciliation through the Djibouti Process."

    There are some 5,000 AU troops, mostly from Uganda and Burundi, in Mogadishu, protecting the weak, UN-backed government.

    Al-Shabab and its allies control most of southern and central Somalia, while the government, helped by the AU force, just runs parts of Mogadishu.

    The country has not had a functioning central government since 1991, leading to a complete breakdown of law and order both on land and in recent years in Somali waters.

    "The EU, IGAD, LAS, UN, Norway and the U.S. send their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims of this appalling suicide bombing, as well as to the government and the people of Somalia," the statement said.