Syria says thwarts 1,200 kg car bomb in Aleppo

Reactions continued Friday following the 2 explosions that rocked the Syrian capital Damascus yesterday claiming the lives of more than 55 civilians. 
              
The Syrian press dubbed the attacks as “the work of terrorists designed to break the plan of UN envoy Kofi Anaan”. The latter also called on Anaan to reveal the truths that he has witnessed throughout his stay in the country.           

For his part, Head of the Syrian National Council Burhan Ghalioun accused the Syrian regime of its involvement in the bombings stating in a press conference from Tokyo that the regime “played the card of terrorism to break Anaan’s plan”.           

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi said that these “acts of terrorism” were coordinated by super powers that oppose free nations. He added that the two explosions occurred to shake the democratic reform plan launched by Syrian President Bachar Asaad.          

Iraqi President Nouri Al-Maliki condemned what he described as “terrorist attacks” calling on all Syrians to be conscious and work together against dangers that face their nation.            

Meanwhile spokesperson of the UN Observer Mission in Syria Niraj Singh said that only 150 out of the 300 international observers (which include 105 military personnel) remain in Syria in compliance with the decision taken by the UNSC.                

Singh added that the remaining international observers will be touring other Syrian cities including Douma, Homs, Hamma and Edleb.          

On another front, diplomatic sources were cited by France Press as saying that tougher sanctions will be imposed on Syria by the EU starting Monday. These sanctions include freezing the assets of two cooperation’s and 3 people considered as major funders of the Assad regime.              

On the ground, opposition protests continued throughout several Syrian cities following Friday prayers with opposition media revealing sites of security checkpoints throughout the country.

In the latest news, Syrian TV said that state forces in Aleppo thwarted an attempted suicide bomber from detonating a car loaded with 12,000 KG of explosives.

According to SANA, the suicide bomber was later killed by state forces.