Suicide bombing at Damascus security building

DAMASCUS: A suicide bomber attacked a security building in the heart of Damascus, Syria's state television reported on Wednesday as fighting raged across the capital for the fourth straight day.

"A suicide attack has targeted the National Security building," the channel said of the security apparatus headed by General Hisham Ikhtiyar. The building is a heavily guarded headquarters in the city's central Rawda district.

The attack came as battles raged across the city for the fourth consecutive day. There was no immediate news of Ikhtiyar's fate after the bombing.

Born in 1941, Ikhtiyar is a key figure in the regime's repression of the 16-month revolt. On May 23 last year, the European Union added his name to the list of Syrian political figures targeted by sanctions.

On May 20 this year, a reported attempt was made to poison Ikhtiyar and other key regime figures. A delivery boy was said to have added mercury to their food during a meal before fleeing.