DAMASCUS, Sept. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Syria on Sunday slammed the Israeli assassination of a Palestinian in Damascus, calling it a serious development affecting regional relations, the state-run SANA news agency reported.

    "This terrorist act represents a grave development that Israel shoulders responsibility for, as it emphasizes its intention to shake security and stability in the region," SANA quoted an official source as saying.

    The source said the killing of the Palestinian, Ezzedin Sheikh Khalil, came "at a time when international and regional efforts were being exerted to reduce the intensity of tension" in the Middle East, the report said.

    Ezzedin Sheikh Khalil, who was said to be a Hamas militant leader, was killed in a car bomb Sunday when he started the engine and an explosive charge under the driver's seat ripped through his SUV in the Az-Zahera neighborhood of the Syrian capital.

    Israeli Channel Two television quoted defense officials as saying that Israeli agents were behind the death. Enditem