The diplomat was injured by a stray bullet while standing at the top of the embassy building. He has been sent to hospital for treatment. The Chinese embassy is located close to the U.S. embassy, both of which lie in the Abu Remmeneh district. Enditem

    Related story: Witnesses: U.S. Embassy in Damascus attacked

    

The U.S. Embassy in Damascus is seen in this file photo taken on April 28, 2004. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, was attacked by a group of militants on the morning of Sept. 12, 2006, witnesses told Xinhua. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

    DAMASCUS, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Embassy in Damascus was attacked by a group of militants on Tuesday morning, witnesses told Xinhua.

    Several militants launched the attack against the U.S. Embassy at about 10:05 a.m. (0705 GMT), using machine guns and rockets from atop a nearby building, they said.

         Casualties were caused by the attack, they added.

    The district, where many other foreign missions, vital security installations, and houses of the most senior Syrian government officials are located, has been sealed off by security guards. Enditem

    Chinese diplomat injured in attack on U.S. embassy

   DAMASCUS, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese diplomat was slightly injured in a militant attack targeting the U.S. embassy in Damascus on Tuesday morning, Chinese embassy officials told Xinhua.

    The diplomat was injured by a stray bullet while standing atop the embassy building. He has been sent to hospital for treatment.

    The Chinese embassy is located close to the U.S. embassy, both of which lie in the Abu Remmeneh district. Enditem