Syrian state media say at least two huge explosions rocked central Damascus on Friday, leaving at least five people dead, as international concerns mount over Syria's deteriorating cease-fire.

Activists say one blast took place near a mosque where anti-government protesters gathered after Friday prayers. The government blamed “terrorists” for what it called a suicide bombing.

Earlier, there was an explosion in a nearby industrial zone.

The blasts come amid blistering criticism of Syria by the U.S., top U.N. officials and the European Union. They say the Syrian government is failing to uphold terms of an international cease-fire that went into effect earlier this month.

Mass anti-government protests were expected after Friday prayers in several other cities.

United Nations monitors again deployed to hot spots of violence between government forces and rebels on Friday. But the U.N. mission has been building slowly. U.N. Spokesman Ne'er Singh said more monitors are on the way.

“We are expecting more monitors to arrive today and as and when I have confirmation I'll be able to inform you. We are total of fifteen as of now. I'm just waiting for confirmation of further numbers and I can give you an update.''

A spokesman for international envoy Kofi Annan told Reuters Friday that another 15 members of the advance team should arrive by Monday. He also defended the speed in which authorities are deploying personnel, saying the process was moving with “remarkable speed.”

The U.N. Security Council has approved a plan to send a total of 300 monitors to Syria.

Syria has said it will honor the truce and other elements of Mr. Annan's peace plan for the country, but will respond to attacks by foreign-backed “terrorists” whom it says are behind the 13-month opposition uprising.

Syrian Information Minister Adman Mahout said Thursday that terrorists have breached the cease-fire more than 1,300 times since April 12.

Syria's main exiled opposition group, the Syrian National Council, called for the U.N. Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to focus on protecting Syrian civilians from government attacks. They are demanding a more rapid increase of the U.N. mission.

The U.N. estimates that more than 9,000 people have been killed in Syria's crackdown on the uprising, while activist groups put the death toll at more than 11,000.