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 | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |