Suicide bomber attacks Syrian compound

BEIRUT (AP) -- A Syrian official says a bombing on the outskirts of Damascus today was a suicide attack.

The official says the attacker detonated a car bomb near a Syrian intelligence compound.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the blast in Harasta, a suburb of the nation's capital, and no immediate claim of responsibility.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

A pro-government TV station (Al-Ikhbariya) says the blast could be heard across Damascus and was followed by armed clashes. Ambulances and fire trucks were seen driving to the scene.

Syrian rebels trying to topple President Bashar Assad are increasingly targeting security compounds and symbols of the regime in Damascus.