Bomb blast reported near UN hotel in DamascusAugust 15, 2012 - 12:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A bomb exploded in central Damascus near the hotel used by the UN observer mission in Syria on Wednesday, August 15 wounding three people, Syrian state television reported. It said the blast, in the Abu Remanih area near a military depot and the trade union headquarters, was caused by a bomb planted on a fuel truck. Several ambulances rushed to the scene and a security cordon was set up, according to witnesses. Activists said massive explosions echoed across much of the city and a video released by one opposition group showed a vast plume of smoke billowing into the sky. The United Nations mission was not immediately available for comment. Damascus has been rocked by several bomb blasts, including an attack last month at the national security headquarters that killed three of President Bashar al-Assad's top security chiefs. The UN Security Council is due to meet on Thursday to discuss the future of the observer mission, whose mandate expires on August 19, AFP reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |