Connect to share and comment  At least 15 dead in huge Damascus
suicide bomb   A massive suicide car bomb ripped through the
heart of Damascus on Monday, killing at least 15 people and
littering a central street with dead bodies and the carcasses of
charred cars.  "Terrorists detonate car bomb between Sabaa
Bahrat Square and Shahbander Street," state television reported,
adding that initial information suggested it had been a suicide
attack.  "The preliminary toll from the terrorist bombing... is
more than 15 martyrs and 53 injuries," the broadcaster added.
An AFP correspondent said the blast caused extensive damage and
that intense gunfire was heard shortly afterwards. The blast
damaged the AFP Damascus office, blowing out the windows, but no
staff were hurt.  State television broadcast scenes of
devastation as huge plumes of thick black smoke billowed up
around buildings in the area, partly obscuring them.  Dozens of
vehicles were damaged, some crumpled almost beyond recognition,
others with their windows