HARGEISA, Somalia (Reuters) - Authorities in the breakaway Somali republic of Somaliland have arrested a man for poisoning dozens of guests at his younger brother's wedding.

Ambe Abdillahi Omer, 39, apparently poisoned sweets he handed out at Saturday's celebration near the Ethiopian border, and also put poison in water jugs and on eating utensils.

The local chairman of Faraweine, Hassan Mohamed Abdirahman, said one of Omer's brothers and a sister had died. Omer's mother and four other people were seriously ill in hospital.

"He distributed about 200 poisoned candies to all who participated in the ceremony," Abdirahman told reporters. "It is a miracle that the bride and bridegroom are safe."

The chairman said Omer had confessed to trying to kill as many people as possible, and said he had no regrets. The motive behind the attack remained unclear, the official said.