Damascus: At least 30 have been killed and 55 wounded in twin Damascus bombings Friday, said Lebanon's Al Manar TV said. Most were reportedly civilians.
State TV said was the work of Al Qaida suicide bombers.
There are conflicting reports about the number of victims. State TV said it was 'many' civilians. Other sources earlier said 'several'.
A statement released by the Syrian government said more than 30 were killed and 100 wounded in the Damascus bombings.
"Several soldiers and a large number of civilians were killed in the two attacks carried out by suicide bombers in vehicles packed with explosives against bases of State Security and another branch of the security services," state television said.
Vehicles packed with explosives
They targeted security facilities using vehicles packed with explosives on Friday, ahead of planned protests after the main weekly Muslim prayers.
The blasts went off within a minute of one another in the Kfar Sousa district and sent thick clouds of smoke billowing into the sky.
"Two terrorist operations took place in Damascus targeting bases of State Security and another branch of the security services," the television reported. "Initial inquiries hold Al Qaida responsibility," the report said.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, citing another witness, said heavy gunfire broke out after the explosions.
Arab League observer mission
The blasts came as an advance team for an Arab League observer mission was in the Syrian capital to prepare the logistics.
The observer mission is intended to oversee an Arab plan to end nine months of bloodshed that has killed more than 5,000 people, according to the United Nations; more than 2,000 security personnel, according to the government.
But the mission has prompted an angry response from activists who charge that it is a "ploy" to stall tougher action over the government's bloody crackdown and have called for nationwide protests.
First Damascus bombings since 1980s
The bombings in Damascus were the first of their kind since the 1980s when then president Hafez Al Assad, father of incumbent Bashar Al Assad, fought an armed uprising by the since banned Muslim Brotherhood.
