A huge car bomb in the Syrian capital Damascus has sent smoke billowing across the capital's skyline.
Syrian media and pan-Arab satellite station al-Jazeera have spoken of deaths and injuries resulting from the blast, which state media have blamed on "terrorists".
Ambulances rushed to the scene near headquarters of the ruling Baath party.
The violence comes as Russia and the Arab League say they want to broker direct government-opposition talks.
Hapa Ameica lazima waseme hao wanagombania uhuru, ingekuwa syria ni kibaraka wake angesema terrorist attacksagainst the government, the civilian population.