Syria deputy FM checks UN observers after blast

DAMASCUS - Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad said Wednesday the blast that rocked the surrounding of a UN hotel, is a "criminal one that aims to distort the image of Syria", adding that all the observers are fine and there is no injuries among them.

Mikdad made the remarks during his visit to the Dama-Rose hotel, where the UN observers are currently residing. He said he came to the hotel to check on the observers and to see the blast site, making sure the observers along with their properties are fine.

"All of them are fine and we are keen for their protection," he said.

An hour ago, a bomb planted under a diesel tanker Wednesday went off and wounded at least three people here in a heavily guarded area near the Syrian army headquarters and the Dama-Rose hotel.

The blast sent plumes of black smoke into the sky, the TV said.

It wasn't immediately known who had managed to carry the bomb to the heavily fortified area, which has been ringed by blast walls and checkpoints.

Media reports alleged that the explosive device ripped through the diesel container while it was parked at one of the army's headquarters' garages.

Sharif Shahadeh, a Syrian Parliamentarian, told the al-Jazeera TV that the armed opposition group carried this "terrorist" attack, adding that the language of blood by the opposition has kept people away from such mentalities.

"This is not heroism and carried out by groups that have lost control on ground," Shahadeh said.

Last week, an explosive device tore through the state media establishment at the Ummayad square, which is also in the surroundings of army's headquarters. The TV blast left injuries only.

Such blasts, despite its small scope, are a show of defiance by the armed opposition that they have a long reach and that they can foment anarchy anywhere.

On ground militarily, the armed opposition has been taking pains to make footholds in Damascus and most recently in northern Aleppo province, but the cohesion of the Syrian army and its strong offensives have pushed the rebels to keep trying with their guerrilla tactics to wobble the regime forces by attrition.