Syria blasts kill five people

A series of explosions rocked the Syrian capital Damascus today and the northern city of Aleppo, where at least five civilians died, reported activists and monitors, two days before parliamentary elections are held in the country. According to the Observatory Sirio Human Rights, based in London, the pump in Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, exploded in a car wash while passing a bus, in the Al Zarzeer, DPA reported. The state agency SANA put the figure killed in Aleppo in three, including a child. The activists said five people died, including women and two children, and 10 people were injured. "Also there were two explosions in Damascus. An explosion occurred inside the city, and the other hit an area outside of capital, "said the Chief Observer, Rami Abdul-Rahman. The second explosion, which hit a bus carrying government troops, killing at least three wounded, said Abdul-Rahman. According to locals, the explosion in the capital was directed against the Social Military Institute, destroying nine cars, including some military vehicles, and destroying windows of nearby buildings. also in Damascus, troops opened fire in Kfar Sousa against a funeral procession of nine people killed on Friday. There were no reports of casualties. The activists accused the government of being behind the blasts in Damascus, to prevent people attend the funeral. In addition, the government released 265 prisoners today involved in riots that began last year, but they did not commit crimes, according to SANA reported. In January 552 detainees had been released, he said. Ahmed Fawzi, spokesman for the UN mediator and the Arab League Kofi Annan, said the peace plan for Syria is "on track" despite the slow progresses ceasefire . Fawzi said that there are already 50 international observers in the country. The Observatory said more than 600 people have died in violence since the April 12, when in theory came into force a truce. Since the beginning of the riots in March 2011 the agency has been estimated that 11,000 deaths, while the UN speaks of more than 9,000. previously reported strong activist attacks Silkeen area in the northern province of Idlib, before troops that attacked him and began "to terrorize the people." Silkeen is located near the Syrian-Turkish border, a stronghold of the rebel Free Syrian Army. On Monday, 7,195 candidates, including 170 women, competing for 250 seats in Parliament, as reported by the agency SANA. More than 14 million Syrians are called to vote at polling stations, which will open at 05:00 GMT. Due to the conflict in the country for a year, parliamentary elections were postponed May 2011 to Feb. , and again to the current date. In the current parliament, 169 seats are held by members of the National Progressive Front (NFP), which includes training related parties of Assad's Baath Party. Only 81 seats are held by independents. Monday's elections will be the third since the arrival of al-Assad to power in 2000. But these are the first held under a multiparty system enshrined in the new Constitution, approved by Al Assad as part of a series of reforms apparently designed to appease anti-government revolt.