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| Syrian prime minister 'survives assassination attempt' | Syrian prime minister 'survives assassination attempt' |
| (8 days later) | |
| Syria's prime minister has survived an apparent assassination attempt after a car bomb attack killed his bodyguard and injured his driver in an upmarket district of Damascus. | Syria's prime minister has survived an apparent assassination attempt after a car bomb attack killed his bodyguard and injured his driver in an upmarket district of Damascus. |
| Wael al-Halki was unhurt in the blast, according to state television, which broadcast pictures of him chairing a meeting after the attack, and quoted a statement issued in his name condemning the "bankruptcy" of the "terrorists" responsible. | Wael al-Halki was unhurt in the blast, according to state television, which broadcast pictures of him chairing a meeting after the attack, and quoted a statement issued in his name condemning the "bankruptcy" of the "terrorists" responsible. |
| The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists in Syria, said six people were killed in the bombing. Halki's bodyguard was one of the victims and his driver was critically injured, it said. | The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which relies on a network of activists in Syria, said six people were killed in the bombing. Halki's bodyguard was one of the victims and his driver was critically injured, it said. |
| The state news agency showed the charred and mangled remains of several vehicles damaged in the explosion, including a bus. An unnamed Syrian official told Associated Press the explosion was caused by a bomb placed under a parked car. | The state news agency showed the charred and mangled remains of several vehicles damaged in the explosion, including a bus. An unnamed Syrian official told Associated Press the explosion was caused by a bomb placed under a parked car. |
| The attack in the Mezzeh district – which houses many officials, government buildings and embassies – is being seen as a demonstration of the ability of anti-government rebels to strike near the heart of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. | The attack in the Mezzeh district – which houses many officials, government buildings and embassies – is being seen as a demonstration of the ability of anti-government rebels to strike near the heart of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. |
| It is the latest in a series of high-profile assassination attempts, including the killing last month of a senior Sunni cleric who was loyal to Assad, and an attack in December that wounded the interior minister, Mohammed al-Shaar. | It is the latest in a series of high-profile assassination attempts, including the killing last month of a senior Sunni cleric who was loyal to Assad, and an attack in December that wounded the interior minister, Mohammed al-Shaar. |
| But no group has yet claimed responsibility for Monday's 9am attack and there is suspicion from some quarters about the government's version of events. | But no group has yet claimed responsibility for Monday's 9am attack and there is suspicion from some quarters about the government's version of events. |
| It is unclear if the footage aired by state TV of Halki, appearing calm and unruffled, was filmed before or after the incident. In the wake of December's attack on the interior minister, state media initially claimed he was unharmed, but a week later he was treated in Lebanon for back injuries. | It is unclear if the footage aired by state TV of Halki, appearing calm and unruffled, was filmed before or after the incident. In the wake of December's attack on the interior minister, state media initially claimed he was unharmed, but a week later he was treated in Lebanon for back injuries. |
| One Damascus activist even claimed that Monday's blast was staged to fuel international fears about the rise of extremism in Syria. | One Damascus activist even claimed that Monday's blast was staged to fuel international fears about the rise of extremism in Syria. |
| Susan Ahmad, spokeswoman for the Revolutionary Council in Damascus, who used to work in the Mezzeh district, said tight security in the area made it virtually impossible for rebels to enter. | Susan Ahmad, spokeswoman for the Revolutionary Council in Damascus, who used to work in the Mezzeh district, said tight security in the area made it virtually impossible for rebels to enter. |
| "It is a very secure place … Nobody can go there without being checked, even if you are a passerby," she said. | "It is a very secure place … Nobody can go there without being checked, even if you are a passerby," she said. |
| She said that in the aftermath of rebel attacks, such as the killing of four of Assad's inner circle last July, the security forces locked down the area targeted. But in this case, she said: "After the explosion took place helicopters hovered over the area, state TV was there, ambulances rushed to the area. This is usually what happens when the regime fake an explosion … The regime is trying to draw the attention of everybody away from what's going on in other places." | She said that in the aftermath of rebel attacks, such as the killing of four of Assad's inner circle last July, the security forces locked down the area targeted. But in this case, she said: "After the explosion took place helicopters hovered over the area, state TV was there, ambulances rushed to the area. This is usually what happens when the regime fake an explosion … The regime is trying to draw the attention of everybody away from what's going on in other places." |
| The jihadi group Jabhat al-Nusra has declared responsibility for a number of high-profile bomb attacks in Damascus and other areas in the past. Earlier this month it declared allegiance to al-Qaida – an admission seized on by the Assad regime. Last week, the government blamed "Chechen mercenaries'" fight with Jabhat al-Nusra for the kidnapping of two Aleppo bishops who are still missing. | The jihadi group Jabhat al-Nusra has declared responsibility for a number of high-profile bomb attacks in Damascus and other areas in the past. Earlier this month it declared allegiance to al-Qaida – an admission seized on by the Assad regime. Last week, the government blamed "Chechen mercenaries'" fight with Jabhat al-Nusra for the kidnapping of two Aleppo bishops who are still missing. |
| Halki, a former health minister and senior Ba'ath party figure from the southern city of Dera'a, was appointed prime minister last August after his predecessor, Riyad Hijab, fled to Jordan and defected to the opposition. | Halki, a former health minister and senior Ba'ath party figure from the southern city of Dera'a, was appointed prime minister last August after his predecessor, Riyad Hijab, fled to Jordan and defected to the opposition. |
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