27 killed in explosions in Damascus, Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria, March 17 (UPI) -- Two explosions in the Syrian capital of Damascus Saturday killed 27 people and wounded at least 97, officials said.

State TV reported what it called "terrorist" attacks struck intelligence and police buildings but said the cause was unknown, the BBC reported.

The British broadcaster said preliminary reports suggested vehicles packed with explosives had been detonated. But because of restrictions on foreign journalists' access in Syria, details could not be independently verified.

Syrian TV said the blasts targeted buildings housing the criminal police and aviation intelligence and opposition sources also said security buildings had been targeted.

The explosions followed by two days the first anniversary of the uprising against Syrian President Bashar Assad. The U.N. estimates at least 8,000 people have been killed since the unrest began.

On Friday, demonstrators protested in cities across the country. Clashes between rebel fighters and the army were reported in several parts of the country, and the suburbs of Damascus were hit by the first fighting since government forces imposed military control there weeks ago.

Also Friday, Kofi Annan, the special envoy for the U.N. and Arab League, repeated his calls to a halt to the fighting and for allowing humanitarian aid to reach people in the country.