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.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the violence as “a road to nowhere”.
The opposition Syrian National Coalition is holding a two-day meeting in Egypt to discuss a framework for a possible solution to the Syrian war.
Some 70,000 people have died since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in March 2011, the UN says.
Lifeless bodies
Police and witnesses said the blast was a car bomb. It went off in the central Mazraa neighbourhood, close to the Baath offices and Russian embassy.
Surrounding roads are reported to have been closed off to traffic.
State and pro-regime TV showed pictures of lifeless bodies and destroyed cars.
State media said the explosion had struck near a school and clinic and that schoolchildren were among the casualties.
Firefighters and medical staff were pictured at the scene.