(CBS News) LONDON - An explosion at the Syrian national security headquarters in Damascus targeted ministers from President Bashar Assad's regime who were meeting with defense officials on Wednesday, reportedly leaving some senior officials dead and wounded.
Syrian TV reported that Syrian Defense Minister Gen. Dawoud Rajiha was killed in the explosion. His death could not be immediately confirmed.CBS News' George Baghdadi reports from the scene of the blast that the explosion appears to have been caused by a device placed inside the building, possibly by a government worker.
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Syrian state TV reported that, in addition to Rajha's death, other ministers and military officials received serious injuries.
There were reports on Arab TV channels that the interior minister was left with critical injuries and was being rushed to hospital.
The armed uprising against Assad's regime has intensified rapidly in recent weeks, with mounting military and political defections eroding his family's long-time grip on power as rebel forces engage his troops more frequently in Damascus, the president's seat of power.
