13 KILLED, MORE THAN 70 INJURED IN DEADLY CAR BOMBING IN DAMASCUS

Thursday 2 May 2013

13 KILLED, MORE THAN 70 INJURED IN DEADLY CAR BOMBING IN DAMASCUS

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Alexandra Valiente

استشهاد 13 مواطناً واصابة أكثر من 70 في التفجير الارهابي بالمرجة
Deadly blast hits Damascus: ‘Rebels bomb way to power by killing innocent’
A massive car explosion which hit central Damascus on Tuesday morning left at least 13 people dead and 70 others injured, according to Syrian state TV.

The incident took place in Marjeh district, a historic part of the capital. The blast went off near the Semiramis Hotel and a building which once housed the country’s Ministry of Interior Affairs. The ministry had earlier been moved to another site.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights watchdog is cited by AFP as saying the car bomb was detonated by the former ministry building’s back door.

Eyewitnesses say they heard a powerful explosion and then saw thick, black smoke rising from behind a group of buildings. Activists reported gunfire was heard in the area immediately after the explosion.

A resident of Damascus, living 1.7km from the blast site, said the explosion shook the doors of her house.

“It must be huge for me to hear it like that. Casualties must be horrific because it is a super busy square at this time of day,” she told Reuters via Skype.
Al-Ikhbariya TV described the blast as a terrorist explosion.

It comes a day after Syrian Prime Minister Wael Halqi survived an attempted bombing assassination in central Damascus.

Photo from sana.sy (R. Milhem/Ghossoun)

RT | SANA

Cabinet Condemns Latest Terrorist Bombing in Syria

Apr 30, 2013

DAMASCUS,(SANA) - In a session held on Tuesday chaired by the Prime Minister Dr. Wael al-Halqi, the cabinet condemned the latest terrorist bombings in Syria, which aim to undermine the security and stability of the Syrian citizens, stressing that these terrorist acts prove that the conspiracy imposed on Syria has failed.

The Cabinet pointed out that these terrorist acts do not intimidate the Syrian people, but rather they increase their determination to go on and rebuild their country , hailing the Syrian Army’s efforts exerted to eliminate terrorists and restore security to Syria.

The Prime Minister reviewed the economic situation and the government’s procedures taken to improve the living conditions and services.

Dr. al-Halqi clarified the positive results regarding the Ministerial committee meetings with national parties and social sides.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem briefed the Cabinet on the latest political developments in the region, affirming the ability of Syrian government to face all challenges thanks to Syrian people.

In turn, Minister of State for National Reconciliation, Dr. Ali Haidar, briefed the Cabinet on the efforts of the Ministry exerted to promote the culture of dialogue among all Syrians and solve some humanitarian and social issues.
Later, the Cabinet approved a draft law on judicial assistance and ended work according to law no. 34 for 1938, which comes in the framework of judicial reforms.

B. Mousa / F. L/ Mazen

Lebanese President Condemns Terrorist Bombings in Damascus

Apr 30, 2013

BEIRUT, (SANA)- Lebanese President Michel Suleiman condemned the two terrorist bombings which took place in Damascus Tuesday and Monday and claimed the lives of innocent citizens.

In a statement issued by the Media Office at the Lebanese Presidency, Suleiman said violence is never a means that can lead to solutions as it rather adds to the complications of the crisis and the dangers of fragmentation.

He reiterated call upon all the parties in Syria to start dialogue to reach a political solution.

Muslim Scholars Gathering in Lebanon Condemns Qatari, Saud and Turkish Role in Syria

Meanwhile, the Muslim Scholars Gathering in Lebanon condemned the terrorist bombing which hit al-Mazzeh area in Damascus and left many dead and others injured.

The Gathering said the continued acts of targeting safe areas in Damascus and other provinces and the abduction of people including bishops Paul Yazigi and John Ibrahim in Aleppo indicate that the terrorist groups are trying hard to hinder the efforts seeking a political solution in Syria.

The gathering condemned the role which Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey play against Syria that is aimed to destroy it, saying those countries are trying to foil the successes being achieved by the Syrian state and government.

Thirteen people were martyred and more than seventy were injured in a terrorist bombing that rocked the crowded area of al-Marjeh in Damascus on Tuesday.

On Monday, a terrorist explosion rocked Mazzeh district near Ibn Rushed park in Damascus causing casualties and material damage. The terrorist act targeted the convoy of Prime Minister, Dr. Wael al-Halqi who survived the explosion.

H. Said

Al-Baath Party Regional Leadership Strongly Condemns al-Marjeh Terrorist Bombing

Apr 30, 2013

DAMASCUS, (SANA) - The Regional Leadership of al-Baath Arab Socialist Party strongly condemned the terrorist bombing in al-Marjeh area in Damascus, which many citizens martyred and others injured.

The Leadership said in a statement issued Tuesday that these terrorist acts reveal the bankruptcy of the terrorists and their feel of defeat in front of the Syrian Army.

The statement added that the terrorists are taking revenge against the Syrians because they have rejected terrorism and fought it across the country.

The Leadership reiterated that the terrorist attacks will never undermine the will of the Syrians and their ability to achieve victory over terrorism and its supporters.

M. Nassr/H. Said

Iran, Russia condemn Terrorist Explosions of al-Mazzeh and al-Marjeh

May 01, 2013

DAMASCUS, (SANA) - Iran’s First Vice-President Mohammad Reza Rahimi condemned the terrorist explosion which targeted the convoy of Prime Minister, Dr. Wael al-Halqi, and all terrorist attacks which are targeting the innocents in Syria.

In a phone call with the Prime Minister, Rahimi stressed that “Iran will always support Syria in all fields and under all circumstances,” affirming that Syria will merge out of this conspiracy victorious and more immune.

The two sides discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries and means of enhancing these relations in various fields.

The Prime Minister thanked Rahimi for Iran’s firm principles and its support to the Syrian people.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Ramin Mehmanparast, strongly condemned the terrorist explosion which took place in Mezzah district in Damascus on Monday and targeted the convoy of Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi, leaving casualties.

Mehmanparast reiterated that committing such crimes divulges the true face of the terrorists in Syria.

He hold some regional and international sides, which support terrorism and chaos in Syria, responsible for perpetrating such crimes.

Mehmanparast called on all countries in the world and the international organizations that are concerned with the Human Rights to support reaching a political solution to the crisis in Syria and do their best to stop violence and to shoulder their responsibilities in this regard.

Russia Condemns Terrorist Explosion in al-MarjEh

Russia on Tuesday strongly condemned the terrorist explosion that hit Damascus in al-Marjeh area, claiming the lives of 14 civilians and wounding scores of others.

“Russia strongly condemns the bloody attack carried out by extremists who aim at destabilizing the situation in Syria and shedding more blood of the innocents,” a statement by the Russian foreign Ministry said.

It added “Moscow sees that the international community has to present a clear, accurate evaluation on the terrorist activity in Syria and put an end to those who support and sponsor it.”

English Bulletin