At least 17 people been killed by a car bomb in the Syrian capital Damascus, according to state television.
At least 17 people been killed by a car bomb in the Syrian capital Damascus, according to state television.
A further 14 people, all of them civilians, are reported to have been wounded in the blast.
A further 14 people, all of them civilians, are reported to have been wounded in the blast.
A spokesman from Syria's ministry of information told the BBC the number of casualties was expected to rise.
A spokesman from Syria's ministry of information told the BBC the number of casualties was expected to rise.
Witnesses say security forces have cordoned off the area, which is close to an important Shia shrine and a security post.
Witnesses say security forces have cordoned off the area, which is close to an important Shia shrine and a security post.
The Sayida Zeinab shrine, in the south of the capital, is popular with Iraqi, Iranian and Lebanese pilgrims.
The Sayida Zeinab shrine, in the south of the capital, is popular with Iraqi, Iranian and Lebanese pilgrims.
Syria's Dunia television said the car was packed with 200kg (440 lbs) of explosives.
Syria's Dunia television said the car was packed with 200kg (440 lbs) of explosives.
Witnesses told Reuters news agency that windows had been shattered on some industrial buildings about 100m (yards) away and the remains of a destroyed car were strewn across the road.
Witnesses told Reuters news agency that windows had been shattered on some industrial buildings about 100m (yards) away and the remains of a destroyed car were strewn across the road.
Government officials were investigating the incident, said the ministry spokesman.
Government officials were investigating the incident, said the ministry spokesman.
The ministry told the BBC that they could not say if the blast had been a terror attack but that it appeared that was the case.
The ministry told the BBC that they could not say if the blast had been a terror attack but that it appeared that was the case.
Syrian Interior Minister Bassam Abdul-Majid described the explosion as a "terrorist act" but declined to say who he believed was responsible.
"We cannot accuse any party. There are ongoing investigations that will lead us to those who carried it out," he said.
Rare attack
Rare attack
Car bomb attacks are rare in Syria and the attack will be disturbing for the Syrian government, which prides itself on stability, says the BBC's Natalia Antelava in Beirut.
State TV showed pictures of damage in the areaCar bomb attacks are rare in Syria and the attack will be disturbing for the Syrian government, which prides itself on stability, says the BBC's Natalia Antelava in Beirut.
Its critics say that stability comes at the price of democracy, says our correspondent.
Its critics say that stability comes at the price of democracy, says our correspondent.
This is believed to be the first such incident since a senior Hezbollah leader was killed in a car bomb in February.
This is believed to be the first such incident since a senior Hezbollah leader was killed in a car bomb in February.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah blamed Israel for the blast but Israel has denied any involvement.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah blamed Israel for the blast but Israel has denied any involvement.
In August, a senior military official close to President Bashar al-Assad was shot dead at a beach resort near the port city of Tartus.
In August, a senior military official close to President Bashar al-Assad was shot dead at a beach resort near the port city of Tartus.
Brig Gen Mohammed Suleiman had responsibility for sensitive security issues and was described as Syria's "main interlocutor" in a UN inquiry into alleged Syrian nuclear activity.
Brig Gen Mohammed Suleiman had responsibility for sensitive security issues and was described as Syria's "main interlocutor" in a UN inquiry into alleged Syrian nuclear activity.
On Friday, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, said Mr Suleiman's death would delay the inquiry.
On Friday, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Mohamed ElBaradei, said Mr Suleiman's death would delay the inquiry.
Peace talks
Peace talks
Syria has faced diplomatic isolation since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Syria has faced diplomatic isolation since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005.
Syria's critics have blamed it for the murder but Damascus strongly denies any involvement.
Syria's critics have blamed it for the murder but Damascus strongly denies any involvement.
But earlier this month, Syria took part in talks with Turkey, Qatar and France, which currently holds the EU presidency, in a bid to boost efforts towards peace in the Middle East.
But earlier this month, Syria took part in talks with Turkey, Qatar and France, which currently holds the EU presidency, in a bid to boost efforts towards peace in the Middle East.
Mr Assad said he hoped the summit would form a basis for direct peace talks between Syria and Israel.
Mr Assad said he hoped the summit would form a basis for direct peace talks between Syria and Israel.
Syria has remained in a state of war with Israel since the latter's foundation in 1948.
Syria has remained in a state of war with Israel since the latter's foundation in 1948.
Are you in Damascus? Have you been affected by the explosion, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
Are you in Damascus? Have you been affected by the explosion, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
