This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/30/world/middleeast/syria-war-developments.html
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Syrian Prime Minister Escapes Assassination Bid | Syrian Prime Minister Escapes Assassination Bid |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| BEIRUT, Lebanon — In the latest reported attack on a high-ranking Syria official, Prime Minister Wael Nader Al-Halqi of Syria survived what appeared to be an assassination attempt in an upscale neighborhood of the capital, Damascus, on Monday when a car bomb exploded near his convoy, according to state-run media and opposition reports saying that a bodyguard was killed. | BEIRUT, Lebanon — In the latest reported attack on a high-ranking Syria official, Prime Minister Wael Nader Al-Halqi of Syria survived what appeared to be an assassination attempt in an upscale neighborhood of the capital, Damascus, on Monday when a car bomb exploded near his convoy, according to state-run media and opposition reports saying that a bodyguard was killed. |
| The attack took place in the central district of Mezze, the reports said. The prime minister was unhurt. The assault fit a pattern of attempts to attack high officials. Video on state television showed a car reduced to a charred skeleton and, nearby, a bus with its windows shattered. | |
| Less than two weeks ago, another official — Ali Balan, the government’s chief coordinator of emergency aid distribution to civilians — was killed by gunmen with silencer-equipped weapons at a restaurant in the same heavily guarded neighborhood. | Less than two weeks ago, another official — Ali Balan, the government’s chief coordinator of emergency aid distribution to civilians — was killed by gunmen with silencer-equipped weapons at a restaurant in the same heavily guarded neighborhood. |
| Last July, an explosion at a security headquarters in the Syrian capital killed or wounded several key aides loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, who has been fighting a growing revolt since March 2011 that has escalated into a bloody civil war with insurgents battling for positions across the land, including the outskirts of Damascus. | Last July, an explosion at a security headquarters in the Syrian capital killed or wounded several key aides loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, who has been fighting a growing revolt since March 2011 that has escalated into a bloody civil war with insurgents battling for positions across the land, including the outskirts of Damascus. |
| State television in Syria called the attack a “terrorist explosion” that was “an attempt to target the convoy of the prime minister.” Terrorist is the word used by the authorities to depict their armed adversaries. The television said the prime minister was “well and not hurt at all,” Reuters reported, but his condition could not immediately be independently confirmed. | |
| Many senior officials live in Mezze, close to buildings housing government and military institutions, and there were reports on state media of injuries. | Many senior officials live in Mezze, close to buildings housing government and military institutions, and there were reports on state media of injuries. |
| The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in Britain and draws information from a network of opposition sources inside Syria, said initial reports showed that a bodyguard had been killed. | The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in Britain and draws information from a network of opposition sources inside Syria, said initial reports showed that a bodyguard had been killed. |
| Mr. Halqi has been part of an effort by President Assad to wage an energized diplomatic campaign to persuade the United States that it is on the wrong side of the civil war. | |
| “We are partners in fighting terrorism,” he said in a recent interview. | |
Anne Barbard reported from Beirut, Lebanon, and Alan Cowell from London. Hania Mourtada and Hwaida Saad contributed reporting from Beirut. | Anne Barbard reported from Beirut, Lebanon, and Alan Cowell from London. Hania Mourtada and Hwaida Saad contributed reporting from Beirut. |