1.   Domestic intelligence chief Nikolai Patrushev described the blast as an inadvertent explosion of munitions hidden at the market by the militants.

2.   Police described the blast as part of a feud between rival business factions with criminal ties.

3.   Israeli officials have also described the blast as a terrorist attack on what is considered the oldest synagogue in Africa, but have provided no evidence for their view.

4.   Israeli officials have also described the blast as a terrorist attack.

5.   Acting Australian Foreign Minister Gordon Bilney described the blast as disappointing, and said the Australian embassy in Beijing would lodge a protest.

6.   Burns declined to describe the blasts.

7.   The Press Trust of India news agency had earlier described the blast as a bomb explosion.

8.   Larrarte, who arrived on the scene shortly after the attack, said the security guard described the blast as coming from within -- not outside -- the embassy.

9.   Police described the blast an act of terrorism.