All Omanis safe as blast hits Syria fair

MUSCAT: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement has condemned the bombings that took place at the gate of an international exhibition centre in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

The statement added the Omanis participating in exhibition are fine and safe.

Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) confirmed the safety of the Omani participants at the trade fair. It said the bombing took place 12 pm on Sunday and the at that the exhibition reopened its doors at 5 pm to continue till 11 pm.

The Damascus International Fair was once the top event on Syria’s economic calendar, but was last held in the summer of 2011. This year’s fair opened on Thursday, and was scheduled to last 10 days.

Meanwhile, an organiser of the fair said four people were killed and 11 wounded in the explosion outside an international trade fair in Damascus.

The explosion was caused by a home-made rocket that went off at the entrance, a source at the administration said.

The rocket was launched from Eastern Ghouta on the outskirts of Damascus, where rebel groups have been active for years, according to the source.

The Damascus International Fair, which opened on Thursday, has been touted by the Syrian government as an economic comeback, with organisers saying some 43 Arab and foreign countries are participating. fair’s