Italy's foreign minister Angelino Alfano on Monday deplored the massive truck bombing at the centre of Somalia's capital Mogadishu at the weekend and a second blast which killed over 270 people and wounded hundreds more.
"Italy expresses its strongest condemnation of the terrorist attacks in Mogadishu on Saturday," said a statement from the foreign ministry.
The statement offered condolences to Somalia's government and "our friends the Somali people" for the attack, which was not immediately claimed by any group.
"Our thoughts are with the victims with the hope the victims can be nursed back to health," the statement cited Angelino as saying.
"Italy will give unceasing support to Somalia, also from within the framework of the United Nations and the European Union, and will pursue an active counter-terrorism policy aimed at achieving peace and the development of the country," Alfano continued.
"We are confident Somalia's federal government and member states will join forces to overcome this tragedy and build a long-awaited future of peace and prosperity for the country," he concluded.