In 1968 when Saddam Hussein's Arab Baath Socialist Party grabbed power, Iraq produced just 1.5 million barrels of crude daily, less than 5% of OPEC's total.

FORBES: Iraq: The Oil, C'est Moi

The bomb detonated at a checkpoint manned by government soldiers in front of the Baath Socialist Party's main office, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

"Syrian citizens in all the Syrian provinces on Saturday flocked to the main squares to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the foundation of the Baath Arab Socialist Party, " SANA said.

CNN: Syria suggests it might not withdraw forces by deadline