A bomb blast at a cafe in Damascus on Thursday killed nine people and wounded 20, authorities said, in the latest challenge for Syria's Islamist leaders as they seek to stabilise the country after more than a decade of war.The bombing -- the deadliest since a suicide attack on a church last year -- was not immediately claimed.It took place near the capital's Palace of Justice, a key government building, sparking scenes of panic in the busy area.

DAMASCUS -- Five people were killed and 16 others wounded on Thursday in an explosion inside a cafe in central Damascus, Syrian authorities said.

An explosion in a Damascus cafe has killed at least four people, according to a Syrian Health Ministry official.

Blast at a cafe reportedly wounded several people.