Suicide bomb hits Syrian city of Hama

(Vatican Radio) At least 30 people have been killed after a suicide bomber blew up a truck laden with explosives at an army checkpoint in Syria's central city of Hama on Sunday.

According to the state news agency, the bomber blew himself up inside the vehicle on Sunday on a busy road on the outskirts of the government-held city.

The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the attack targeted an army checkpoint.

The Britain-based group said the death toll was likely to rise, as there were dozens of wounded, some of them in critical condition.
Pictures on Syria TV showed fire-fighters trying to put out huge fires and black clouds of smoke rising from charred trucks and cars.
Clashes were reportedly ongoing in the area and gunfire could be heard.
Meanwhile, the chief of the Arab League says a peace conference for Syria will convene in Geneva on November 23, but an international peace envoy said an exact date has yet to be set.

Listen to Nathan Morley's report: