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Large explosion rocks Syrian capital Damascus Large explosion rocks Syrian capital Damascus
(35 minutes later)
A large explosion has struck the Syrian capital Damascus sending smoke billowing across the capital's skyline. A huge car bomb in the Syrian capital Damascus has sent smoke billowing across the capital's skyline.
Police and witnesses said it was a car bomb which went off near headquarters of the ruling Baath party. Syrian media and pan-Arab satellite station al-Jazeera have spoken of deaths and injuries resulting from the blast, which state media have blamed on "terrorists".
State media are blaming "terrorists" for the explosion, which they say caused casualties. Ambulances rushed to the scene near headquarters of the ruling Baath party.
Ambulances rushed to the scene in the central Mazraa neighbourhood and surrounding roads are reported to have been closed off to traffic. The violence comes as Russia and the Arab League say they want to broker direct government-opposition talks.
Those wounded included four children, state TV reportedly said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the violence as "a road to nowhere".
The violence comes as the opposition Syrian National Coalition is due to begin a two-day meeting in Egypt to discuss a framework for a possible solution to the Syrian war. The opposition Syrian National Coalition is holding a two-day meeting in Egypt to discuss a framework for a possible solution to the Syrian war.
Russia and the Arab League also say they want to broker direct talks between the Syrian government and opposition.
Some 70,000 people have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011, the UN says.Some 70,000 people have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011, the UN says.
Lifeless bodies
Police and witnesses said the blast was a car bomb. It went off in the central Mazraa neighbourhood, close to the Baath offices and Russian embassy.
Surrounding roads are reported to have been closed off to traffic.
State and pro-regime TV showed pictures of lifeless bodies and destroyed cars.
State media said the explosion had struck near a school and clinic and that schoolchildren were among the casualties.
Firefighters and medical staff were pictured at the scene.