Dubai: Twin bombings struck security buildings in the Syrian commercial hub of Aleppo yesterday, killing at least 28 and injuring 175, while in besieged Homs, opposition neighbourhoods endured another day of bombardment by President Bashar Al Assad's troops
Mangled, bloodied bodies and severed limbs lay on the pavement outside the military and security service buildings that were targeted. The Syrian regime blamed ‘terrorists' for the blasts. But the rebel Free Syrian Army said the Syrian regime itself was behind the bombings.
"This criminal regime is... carrying out bomb attacks in Aleppo to steer attention away from what it is doing in Homs, Zabadani and elsewhere," its spokesman, Colonel Maher Nouaimi, told AFP.
Meanwhile, the opposition Syrian National Council said yesterday it expects to be recognised within days by several Arab states.
There was more unrest across the country yesterday, with activists reporting that security forces opened fire in Latakia, in the town of Dael in Daraa province, and elsewhere to break up demonstrations taking place after prayers. Troops also opened fire as worshippers left a mosque in Homs after Friday prayers.
Arab League foreign ministers will discuss a proposal to send a joint UN-Arab mission to Syria when they meet in Cairo tomorrow, a League official said.
In Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz said the failure of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution asking the Syrian leader to step down has shaken the world's confidence in the international organisation. He said the decision by Russia and China to veto the UN action was an "unfavourable" move.
King Abdullah said the world can't be ruled by the countries on the Security Council alone, but he didn't elaborate.
Russia's warning
Russia escalated the war of words by accusing the West of arming the Syrian opposition and warning that it will resort to "drastic measures" if the interference doesn't stop.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said: "Western states inciting Syrian opposition to uncompromising actions, as well as those sending arms to them, giving them advice and direction, are participating in the process of fomenting the crisis..."
Turkey's foreign minister said he will propose new ways to increase the pressure on Syria when he meets US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday.
Protests were held in several cities in the region, including Lebanon's Tripoli and Sidon, Tunis, Amman, Dubai and Doha.
In Doha, the International Union of Muslim Scholars headed by influential cleric Yousuf Al Qaradawi organised a rally.
Members of the opposition Syrian National Council, which has been meeting in Doha, joined the rally.
A leading member of Al Qaradawi's grouping, Salahudin Sultan, appealed to Gulf leaders to arm rebel fighters in Syria and send troops to support them.
