Bomb explodes near UN observer convoy in Syria

A bomb exploded in the vicinity of a convoy of UN observers in Syria, as it was entering the city of Dara'a, the spokesperson for the Joint Special Envoy of the United Nations and the League of Arab States on the Syrian Crisis, Kofi Annan, said Wednesday.

"There were no casualties among the observers, but several Syrian soldiers were injured and taken to hospital," the spokesperson, Ahmad Fawzi, said in response to media questions in Geneva.

The observers are serving with the UN Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), which was authorized by the Council last month, and is tasked with monitoring the cessation of violence in Syria and supporting the full implementation of a six-point plan put forward by Mr. Annan.

"[UNSMIS' Chief Military Observer] General Mood told reporters accompanying his convoy that this was an example of what the Syrian people were suffering on a daily basis and that all forms of violence must stop," the spokesperson added.

Mr. Annan's plan calls for an end to violence, access for humanitarian agencies to provide relief to those in need, the release of detainees, the start of inclusive political dialogue that takes into account the aspirations of the Syrian people, and unrestricted access to the country for the international media.

The crisis in Syria, which began in March 2011 as a protest movement similar to those across the Middle East and North Africa, has claimed over 9,000 lives, mostly civilians, and displaced tens of thousands.