40 killed and at least 100 wounded on Friday as suicide bombers hit two security service bases in Damascus.

More than 40 were killed on Friday as suicide bombers hit two security service bases in Damascus.

Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Meqdad visited one of the bomb sites.

“More than 30 dead and more than 100 wounded in today's two attacks,” he told reporters.

"On the first day after the arrival of the Arab observers, this is the gift we get from the terrorists and Al-Qaeda," he added, referring to an Arab League mission intended to oversee a plan to end nine months of unrest in the country.

The explosions also caused heavy damages in the area.

Earlier, the state TV said that"several soldiers and a large number of civilians were killed in the two attacks carried out by suicide bombers in vehicles packed with explosives against bases of State Security and another branch of the security services”.

"Initial inquiries hold Al-Qaeda responsibility," the television added.

Witnesses said the bombers struck in the Kfar Suseh neighborhood of the city. A car tried to ram its way into a State Security compound, while another car exploded in front of a security service building in the same area.

The blasts came as an advance team was in Damascus to prepare the logistics for an Arab League observer mission to oversee a plan to end nine months of unrest in the country.