Three U.S. Embassy Attackers Killed In Syria

Three US embassy attackers killed in Syria

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/a...ow/1984033.cms

[ 12 Sep, 2006 1603hrs ISTIANS ]

DAMASCUS/CAIRO: Three men trying to attack the US embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus were killed, the Syrian Interior Ministry said on Tuesday. A fourth man was wounded and detained.

The attackers had detonated a car bomb in the embassy vicinity, and were involved in a shootout with security forces.

Gunfire was heard in the foreign embassies district in Damascus, with heavy smoke over the area.

Firefighters, ambulances and paramedics were seen rushing to the cordoned-off district.

A witness said that two gunmen had detonated an explosives-laden car near the embassy and opened fire. Syrian security police had fired back.

Witnesses said more than 20 explosions were heard which shook buildings in the embassy area.

A US embassy official confirmed the attack, saying that it had occurred in the embassy's vicinity.

A witness said a car belonging to the Syrian security men was seen with several bullets.

The US ambassador to Syria was withdrawn last year, following the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.