After Bombings, Syria Braces for Mass Protests

Syrians braced for mass protests on Friday, a day after at least 55 people were killed in twin bombings that marked the deadliest attack since the start of the anti-government uprising 14 months ago.

The car bomb explosions in Damascus Thursday were among a string of attacks that have occurred since U.N. observers arrived in Syria to monitor a shaky cease-fire brokered by international envoy Kofi Annan in April.

Friday, the government urged the U.N. Security Council to take action to combat terrorism, in the wake Thursday’s blasts.

State media said the government made the plea in letters to the Security Council and U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon. It said “escalating crimes” were proof that Syria is facing terrorist attacks led by groups receiving foreign support.

U.N. observers toured Damascus on Friday. Observer mission spokesman Neeraj Singh said the number of international monitors and staff members taking part in the mission had grown to 150.

“You have the world coming together, the world community coming together to be with the people of Syria to see in what way we can help. The most important thing being that violence in all its forms has to stop,” Singh said.

The head of Syria’s main opposition group said al-Qaida-linked forces with ties to the Syrian government were responsible for Thursday’s blasts.