Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halqi escaped an assassination bid on Monday, surviving a blast that targeted his convoy in Damascus, Syrian state television reported. One of his bodyguards was killed in the attack which left a second bodyguard and his driver seriously injured, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights watchdog said. "The terrorist explosion in Mazzeh was an attempt to target the prime minister's convoy and Dr. Wael al-Halqi was unharmed," state television reported.

A huge suicide car bomb ripped through the heart of Damascus on Monday, killing at least 15 people, as Syria refused to allow in a UN team to probe the alleged use of chemical weapons in protest at its broad mandate. State media said 15 people were killed and more than 50 wounded after the blast which littered a central street with dead bodies and the carcasses of charred cars. "Terrorists detonate car bomb between Sabaa Bahrat Square and Shahbander Street," the state broadcaster reported, pointing to an apparent suicide attack.

A massive suicide car bomb ripped through the heart of Damascus on Monday, killing at least 15 people and littering a central street with dead bodies and the carcasses of charred cars. "Terrorists detonate car bomb between Sabaa Bahrat Square and Shahbander Street," state television reported, adding that initial information suggested it had been a suicide attack. "The preliminary toll from the terrorist bombing... is more than 15 martyrs and 53 injuries," the broadcaster added.

A car bomb exploded in central Damascus on Monday causing deaths and injuries, Syrian state television reported, with an AFP correspondent saying intense gunfire followed the blast. "Terrorists detonate car bomb between Sabaa Bahrat square and Shahbander Street," the television reported, adding subsequently that preliminary information suggested that the explosion was a suicide attack. An AFP correspondent said the blast caused extensive damage and that intense gunfire could be heard shortly afterwards. A huge plume of grey smoke rose from the scene.