Two explosions were reported Tuesday in Syria’s capital, Damascus, near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying as part of his visit to the war-torn country.
Witnesses saw smoke rising from behind the buildings as Macron left the Four Seasons hotel ahead of a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Sharaa, Agence France Presse reported.
A fire broke out near the hotel after two blasts were reported.
Roads were sealed off and security measures were implemented after the blast.
Macron did not hear the blasts while traveling to meet al-Sharaa, according to the Elysee Palace.
Security services are searching for the suspects who allegedly planted the explosive devices, local media reports.
Macron arrived in Syria Monday and his visit is the first by a Western leader since President Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December 2024 after 54 years in power.
“I have come to express France’s commitment to the Syrian people. For a sovereign Syria, united in its diversity and at peace with its neighbors,” Macron said in a post on X, celebrating his visit.
“Together, let us open a new chapter of stability and peace.”
Macron previously met with al-Sharaa in Paris – where he called for the US and European leaders to lift sanctions on Syria.
But leaders have been skeptical of of al-Sharaa’s Islamist-led rule and former role as the head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militant group, previously linked to Al Qaeda.
Western governments were especially concerned about the treatment and inclusion of women and minorities, and whether Syria’s new government would transition into a more democratic rule.
Macron will travel to Ankara, Turkey, for the NATO summit once his visit to Syria concludes.
With Post wires
