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| Syria conflict: Hama car bomb 'kills at least 30' | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least 30 people are reported to have been killed by a car bombing in the central Syrian city of Hama. | |
| The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said a checkpoint operated by Syrian government troops was targeted. | |
| State media also reported the attack. | State media also reported the attack. |
| Hama saw some of the largest demonstrations against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad in the first months after the Syrian uprising began in March 2011. | Hama saw some of the largest demonstrations against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad in the first months after the Syrian uprising began in March 2011. |
| But in late summer 2011, security forces stormed the city and have maintained control ever since. | But in late summer 2011, security forces stormed the city and have maintained control ever since. |
| The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said: "A violent explosion shook the Sinaa highway in Hama city moments ago, followed by intense gunfire. | The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said: "A violent explosion shook the Sinaa highway in Hama city moments ago, followed by intense gunfire. |
| "According to initial reports, the blast targeted a checkpoint manned by regime troops near an agricultural vehicle company, and ambulances could be seen in the area." | "According to initial reports, the blast targeted a checkpoint manned by regime troops near an agricultural vehicle company, and ambulances could be seen in the area." |
| State TV reported: "A terrorist car bomb explosion went off near an agricultural vehicle company on the edge of Hama city. Several people were killed or wounded." | State TV reported: "A terrorist car bomb explosion went off near an agricultural vehicle company on the edge of Hama city. Several people were killed or wounded." |
| Hama occupies a significant place in the history of modern Syria. In 1982, then-President Hafez al-Assad, father of Bashar, sent in troops to quell an uprising by the Sunni opposition Muslim Brotherhood. Tens of thousands were killed and the town flattened. | Hama occupies a significant place in the history of modern Syria. In 1982, then-President Hafez al-Assad, father of Bashar, sent in troops to quell an uprising by the Sunni opposition Muslim Brotherhood. Tens of thousands were killed and the town flattened. |
| Meanwhile, the head of the Arab League has said that a long-awaited conference on Syria will begin on 23 November, although this falls short of a formal announcement. | |
| Nabil el-Arabi was speaking after meeting the international envoy on Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, who is on a tour of the Middle East to prepare for the conference. | |
| Mr Brahimi did not himself publicly set a date, saying he would do so after his tour. Mr el-Arabi conceded that there were still many obstacles ahead. | |
| Western and Arab government officials will meet Syrian opposition leaders on Tuesday to try to persuade them to attend. |