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Syrian government blames terrorists for Damascus bomb that killed dozens Syrian government blames terrorists for Damascus bomb that killed dozens
(about 9 hours later)
Syria's government blamed terrorists for a car bomb that killed at least 31 people in central Damascus near the headquarters of the ruling Ba'ath party on Thursday, as pressure mounted for talks between the government and opposition. Syria's government blamed terrorists for a car bomb it said killed 53 people in central Damascus near the headquarters of the ruling Ba'ath party on Thursday, as pressure mounted for talks between the government and opposition.
Among more than 230 people reportedly injured in the incident in the Mazra'a district of the capital were children from a nearby school, as well as Nayef Hawatmeh, the head of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The Russian embassy was also damaged. Children from a nearby school and Nayef Hawatmeh, leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, were among more than 230 people reportedly injured in the blast in the Mazra'a district of the capital. The explosion also damaged the Russian embassy.
The explosion shattered windows and sent up a huge plume of smoke that was visible throughout much of Damascus, which has so far mostly avoided the large-scale violence that has destroyed other Syrian cities. Car bombings have targeted government buildings before, however. Sana, the state news agency, said the perpetrators were supported by "America, Zionism and some Gulf states".
The Free Syrian Army, the main armed opposition group, denied responsibility for the blast and blamed it on the regime. Opposition media claimed that emergency service vehicles were waiting nearby shortly before – a charge often made after attacks of this kind. The explosion shattered windows and sent up a huge plume of smoke that was visible across much of Damascus, which has mostly avoided the large-scale violence that has destroyed other Syrian cities. However, car bombings have targeted government buildings before.
Opposition sources also reported two or three other explosions elsewhere in the city. Fighting erupted in Barzeh between government and rebel forces, according to al-Jazeera TV. Artillery fire was reported from Qaboun and the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp. Video posted online by opposition activists showed smoke rising from Mount Qassioun overlooking Damascus.On the political front, meanwhile, the main anti-Assad opposition group, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC), reiterated its willingness to negotiate an agreement to end the war but insisted again that the president could not be a party to any settlement, according to a communique drafted for an opposition meeting. The Free Syrian Army, the main armed opposition group, denied responsibility for the blast and blamed it on the Assad regime. Opposition media claimed that emergency services vehicles were waiting nearby shortly before – a charge often made after attacks of this kind.
Reuters reported that the document makes no direct reference to Assad's removal, in an apparent softening of tone compared with past positions that have demanded that the president step down as a precondition for any talks. The Syrian National Coalition (SNC), the main opposition political formation, said the regime was responsible for causing "terror and instability".
The document, being debated at a meeting of the opposition leadership starting in Cairo on Thursday, says Assad and his aides must be held accountable for bloodshed that has claimed the lives of 70,000 people since March 2011. It also states that any peace deal must be under the auspices of the US and Russia – a significant detail that hints at the potential role the two UN security council members could play. Opposition sources reported two or three other explosions elsewhere in the city. Fighting erupted in Barzeh between government and rebel forces, according to al-Jazeera TV. Artillery fire was reported from Qaboun and the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp. Video posted online by opposition activists showed smoke rising from Mount Qassioun overlooking Damascus.
The outcome of the meeting will be closely watched in the light of the recent call by the SNC leader, Moaz al-Khatib, for talks with representatives of the Assad regime, specifically with vice-president Farouq al-Sharaa. Khatib's proposal unleashed furious controversy in opposition ranks but he does appear to enjoy support from key figures in exile as well as in Syria. Khatib also demanded the release of thousands of prisoners as a precondition. On the political front, the SNC reiterated its willingness to negotiate an agreement to end the war but insisted the president could not be a part of a settlement, according to a communiqué drafted for an opposition meeting.
The document makes no direct reference to Bashar Assad's removal, an apparent softening of tone compared with past positions that have demanded that he step down as a precondition for any talks.
The document, debated at a meeting of the opposition leadership starting in Cairo on Thursday, , says Assad and his aides must be held accountable for bloodshed that has claimed the lives of 70,000 people since March 2011. It also states that any peace deal must be under the auspices of the US and Russia – a significant detail that hints at the potential role the two UN security council members could play.
The outcome of the meeting will be closely watched in the light of the recent call by the SNC leader, Moaz al-Khatib, for talks with representatives of the regime, specifically with vice-president Farouq al-Sharaa.
Khatib's proposal unleashed furious controversy in opposition ranks but he appears to enjoy support from key figures in exile as well as in Syria. Khatib also demanded the release of thousands of prisoners as a precondition.
Khatib subsequently clarified that any talks would only be about the departure of the Assad regime. Lakhdar Brahimi, Syria envoy for the UN and the Arab League, has been in talks with Khatib and colleagues.Khatib subsequently clarified that any talks would only be about the departure of the Assad regime. Lakhdar Brahimi, Syria envoy for the UN and the Arab League, has been in talks with Khatib and colleagues.
Both Russia and the US appear to be hoping that talks will be held, though Khatib has so far not responded to an invitation to visit Moscow when the Syrian foreign minister, Walid al-Mualim, is there next week. Washington and London are gambling on a shift in Russia's stubbornly pro-Assad position at the UN. Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, warned on Wednesday that if the current situation in Syria continued, it would lead to the destruction of the country. Both Russia and the US appear to be hoping that talks will be held, though Khatib has so far not responded to an invitation to visit Moscow when the Syrian foreign minister, Walid al-Mualim, is there next week.
Washington and London are gambling on a shift in Russia's stubbornly pro-Assad position at the UN. Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, warned on Wednesday that if the current situation in Syria continued, it would lead to the destruction of the country.
"It is time to end this two-year conflict. Neither party can afford a military solution because this is a path to nowhere, a path toward mutual extermination among the people," Lavrov said."It is time to end this two-year conflict. Neither party can afford a military solution because this is a path to nowhere, a path toward mutual extermination among the people," Lavrov said.
Syrian media swiftly dismissed Khatib's offer as "political manoeuvring" though officials in Damascus have sent mixed signals about possible talks. There has been not the slightest hint that Assad is contemplating stepping down. In other developments, Britain's foreign secretary, William Hague, announced an additional $17m (£11m) in aid to support Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon, bringing the total UK aid to $30m. There are now nearly 300,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon.