Explosions rock Syria

(Vatican Radio) At least 20 soldiers have been killed in twin explosions in the southern Syrian city of Deraa.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said two cars packed with explosives were detonated at a military camp, killing and wounding "dozens".

Meanwhile, Syrian opposition groups are continuing negotiations in Doha about a possible merger.

Over 408,000 Syrians have now crossed into neighbouring countries to escape the violence in their country according to United Nations agencies.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR says in the last two days, over 11,000 Syrian refugees have entered Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

"We are still facing major challenges one is access and not access because of administrative hurdles but because of insecurity” said Radhouane Nouicer, the UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria.

“And for as long as the parties involved in this conflict do not respect the neutrality and impartiality of humanitarian actors, access will continue to be difficult. We are funded for the revised humanitarian response plan at the level of 45 per cent and we are only one month and a half away from the end of the present cycle,” he added.

UNHCR says there were little efforts by both sides of the conflict to protect civilians, leaving them with little option but to flee for their safety.

Listen to Nathan Morley's report: