Mosque blast kills pro-govt. Muslim cleric in Damascus![]() March 22, 2013 - 09:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An explosion at a mosque in the Syrian capital on Thursday, March 21, killed at least 42 people, including a senior pro-government Muslim cleric, and wounded 84, the Syrian health ministry said, according to Reuters. State television and anti-government activists earlier had reported 15 dead. The television said a "terrorist suicide blast" hit the Iman Mosque in central Damascus, and Mohammed al-Buti, imam of the ancient Ummayyad Mosque, was among the dead. "The death toll from the suicide bombing of the Iman Mosque in Damascus is 42 martyrs and 84 wounded," the health ministry said later in a statement. Partner news The international conference, backed by Russia and the U.S., aims to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. Nuland, a career foreign service officer who was until recently State's top spokesperson, was expected to be nominated the post. Alkhatib said Assad should respond within 20 days and that he should then be given a month to dissolve parliament. Bağış said Istanbul’s unique status as a “peaceful coexistence of all cultures and religions” makes it a vital player in the EU. Partner news |