Syria calls for Annan to act on bombings

(Xinhuanet) -- Syria has urged international mediator Kofi Annan to take action against what is calls "armed groups". Information Minister Adnan Mahmoud made the appeal at the official funeral for people killed in Thursday’s bombings in Damascus.

Hundreds took part in the service at the Osman Mosque in the capital. The Syrian Mufti, Ahmad Bader al-Din Hassoun, led prayers over the coffins of some of the dead. Mourners later demonstrated outside to condemn the blasts and threw support behind President Bashar al-Assad.

State media says the bombings killed 55 people and wounded 372. Mahmoud condemned what he called the bloody coalition between the armed groups and al-Qaeda, along with those who back those armed groups with weapons and money. He also called for Annan to take action on it.

Adnan Mahmoud said, "It represents a serious violation of the Security Council’s resolutions, which aim to fight terrorism and Kofi Annan’s plans for a ceasefire. This requires him (Annan) to take tangible steps to deal with the armed groups, and the countries that back them with money and weapons."