Bomb explodes near Damascus military compound

DAMASCUS A large explosion has struck close to a military compound in the Syrian capital, Damascus, near a hotel used by the UN's observer mission. Syrian state TV reported that three people had been injured in the blast, but that none of them were UN monitors. Bomb explodes near Damascus military compound The intended target of the explosion was not immediately clear. Meanwhile UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos, who is visiting Syria, has said it should be made easier for aid to be delivered to civilians who need it. Later on Wednesday, the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) is expected to suspend Syria's membership over the ongoing violence. The 57-member organization, meeting in the Saudi city of Mecca, is expected to endorse a statement put forward by its members' foreign ministers, despite objections from Iran, Syria's last regional ally. State television said Wednesday's blast had been caused by a bomb near a fuel truck planted in a car park near the hotel, but other reports suggested it had been an improvised explosive device (IED). Images from Damascus showed a huge plume of smoke coming from the area in the city centre and several ambulances were seen rushing towards site. UN vehicles in the nearby car park were seen covered in dust and debris. Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad visited the scene and told state media it was "a criminal act aimed at distorting Syria's image" and called on the international community to "work hand-in-hand against terrorism". "I confirm that we are with the UN and we will do all we can to guarantee their protection so that they carry out their role," he said. There are several government and military buildings in the vicinity and BBC says the area around the hotel, the Dama Rose, is a high-security zone. A senior member of the main rebel force, the Free Syrian Army (FSA), told the AFP news agency it had carried out the attack. "The FSA operation targeted a military command office with explosives designed to go off at a meeting of army officers and members of the shabiha [pro-government militia] which decides on daily operations in Damascus," said Maher Nuwaimi. His claim could not be immediately verified. At first Damascus remained relatively quiet after the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March last year, but the violence has spread there in recent weeks. Last month a bomb at the national security headquarters killed three of Assad's security chiefs. (Beta) BBC

Bomb explodes near Damascus military compound

The intended target of the explosion was not immediately clear.

Meanwhile UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos, who is visiting Syria, has said it should be made easier for aid to be delivered to civilians who need it.

Later on Wednesday, the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) is expected to suspend Syria's membership over the ongoing violence.

The 57-member organization, meeting in the Saudi city of Mecca, is expected to endorse a statement put forward by its members' foreign ministers, despite objections from Iran, Syria's last regional ally.

State television said Wednesday's blast had been caused by a bomb near a fuel truck planted in a car park near the hotel, but other reports suggested it had been an improvised explosive device (IED).

Images from Damascus showed a huge plume of smoke coming from the area in the city centre and several ambulances were seen rushing towards site. UN vehicles in the nearby car park were seen covered in dust and debris.

Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad visited the scene and told state media it was "a criminal act aimed at distorting Syria's image" and called on the international community to "work hand-in-hand against terrorism".

"I confirm that we are with the UN and we will do all we can to guarantee their protection so that they carry out their role," he said.

There are several government and military buildings in the vicinity and BBC says the area around the hotel, the Dama Rose, is a high-security zone.

A senior member of the main rebel force, the Free Syrian Army (FSA), told the AFP news agency it had carried out the attack.

"The FSA operation targeted a military command office with explosives designed to go off at a meeting of army officers and members of the shabiha [pro-government militia] which decides on daily operations in Damascus," said Maher Nuwaimi.

His claim could not be immediately verified.

At first Damascus remained relatively quiet after the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March last year, but the violence has spread there in recent weeks.

Last month a bomb at the national security headquarters killed three of Assad's security chiefs.