30 killed in Damascus courthouse suicide bombing (Lead)

Damascus March 15 (IANS) At least 30 people were killed and 45 injured when a suicide bomber detonated his bomb vest inside the old Justice Palace building in Syrian capital Damascus on Wednesday state TV reported.

The bomber was among the people who were waiting for checking to enter the building at noon time on Wednesday.

He was in camouflaged uniform holding a rifle and a hand grenade said the report adding that once he handed over his weapons to the checkpoint police he was asked for further inspection.

The suicide bomber later entered the main hall of the Justice Palace detonating a bomb vest he was wearing Xinhua news agency reported.

The blast happened during rush hour in the courthouse.

The attack comes on the sixth anniversary of the start of the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad.

Wednesday s attack follows twin suicide bombings in the capital last week which killed at least 74 people.

--IANS
soni/bg