Syrian Bodyguard to PM killed in bomb attack

A car bomb in Damascus fails to injure its apparent target but does kill one of his bodyguards and seriously wounds two others.
The device was detonated as the prime minister's convoy drove past.

Syria's prime minister Wael Nader al Halqi has reportedly survived an assassination attempt after a bomb blast targeted his convoy in Damascus.

According to state-run television, the explosion happened near a school in the capital's western neighbourhood of Mazzeh.

It said: "The terrorist explosion in al Mazzeh was an attempt to target the convoy of the prime minister.

"Doctor Wael al Halqi is well and not hurt at all."


Wael Nader al Halqi is said to have been unhurt in the explosion
Mazzeh is where many government and military institutions are situated and where senior Syrian officials live.

The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the blast killed one of the prime minister's bodyguards. His driver and a second bodyguard were also seriously injured.

A government official said an improvised explosive device had been placed under a car parked in the area and was detonated as the convoy drove past. No one has claimed responsibility.

Mr al Halqi was appointed prime minister last year after his predecessor Riad Hijab defected to Jordan.