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Syria resolved to deal with saboteurs

Xinhua, March 18, 2012

• Syria's interior ministry warned Saturday that it won't waver in dealing "decisively" with anyone who would compromise the security and stability of the country.

  In a statement aired on the state TV, the ministry stressed its resolution to combat saboteurs, citing the twin bombings that hit two security departments earlier in the day, leaving at least 27 people killed and 140 others wounded.

  The first blast went off at 7:20 a.m. local time (0520 GMT) at al-Jamarek roundabout and the second blast went off a few minutes later at al-Tahrir square, causing big damages to residential buildings and cars parked at the two sites.

  The specialized authorities have gathered evidences and sent them to special laboratories to identify the "terrorist perpetrators" and the kind of explosives used in the two bombings, it added.

  The ministry stressed that "those terrorist acts" are integral part of the campaign targeting the Syrian people's security and stability, adding that the terrorist bombings came at a time when some regional and international powers are calling explicitly for sending in arms to Syria.

  The ministry called on the international community to live up to its responsibilities to stand by the Syrian people and work to halt all attempts that aim to destabilize the country.

  It also called on the citizens to continue cooperation with the competent authorities and report any suspicious moves.

  So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

  Saturday's bombings are the latest in a string of suicide attacks that targeted military and security compounds in Syria's two largest cities of Damascus and Aleppo, claiming the lives of dozens of civilians and government personnel.

  On Dec. 23, 2011, two car bombs exploded near two intelligence agency compounds in Damascus, leaving 44 people killed. Two weeks later, another suicide bomber detonated himself at a busy intersection at al-Midan neighborhood in Damascus, killing 25 people.

  On Feb. 10, twin bombings carried out by suicide bombers hit the northern Aleppo province and left at least 25 people killed.

  The suicide bombings held the hallmark of al-Qaida, according to the Syrian government.

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