Zeenews Bureau
Damascus: Syria on Saturday accused the United States and Western countries of colluding with al Qaeda-linked militants to target the country.
Speaking to journalists in Damascus, Information Minister Adnan Hasan Mahmoud said: "Western countries and the United States, which made alliances to wage wars using the pretext of fighting terrorism, are now making alliances with the terrorists which Syria has been facing.”
The suicide attackers killed at least 55 people and wounding 372 in Damascus last week.
"This terrorist escalation using booby-trapped cars with tons of explosives to target the Syrian people ... is a continuation of the bloody terrorist tactic used between armed groups and al Qaeda, along with the international Western countries that support them with weapons and money," he said.
Denying any role in the bombings, the opposition argues that the government orchestrated the bombings.
The blasts during the morning rush hour a UN-backed ceasefire brokered by special envoy Kofi Annan that has failed to take hold since it went into effect on April 12.
Syria`s uprising started in March 2011 with mostly peaceful protests inspired by successful revolts elsewhere calling for political reform. The Syrian government responded with a brutal crackdown, prompting many in the opposition to take up arms to defend themselves and attack government troops.
The UN said weeks ago that more than 9,000 people have been killed. Hundreds more have died since.
Overall violence as dropped as the observer mission has grown, though daily attacks continue.
(With Agency’s inputs)
