Syria crisis: Blast near Damascus military compound

A large explosion has struck close to a military compound in the Syrian capital, Damascus, near a hotel used by the UN's observer mission.

Syrian state TV reported that three people had been injured in the blast, which it said had been caused by a bomb near a fuel truck.

Eyewitnesses in Damascus saw a huge plume of smoke coming from the area in the city centre.

The violence in Syria has spread to the capital in recent weeks.

State television said the blast had been caused by a bomb near a fuel truck, but other reports suggested it had been a roadside bomb.

Several ambulances were seen rushing towards site.

The area around the Dama Rose hotel is a sealed-off, high-security zone.

The blast comes as a group of Islamic countries prepares to meet in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to discuss the crisis.

The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Co-operation is expected to suspend Syria's membership, despite objections from Iran, Syria's last regional ally.

Damascus has been hit by several bombs in recent weeks, including one last month at the national security headquarters which killed three of President Bashar al-Assad's security chiefs.