An explosion has occurred in Damascus near the hotel where Emmanuel Macron is staying — Reuters
A source within the security services told Reuters this.
Meanwhile, the Élysée Palace stated that Macron had not heard the explosions and met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa shortly afterwards.
A Reuters witness interviewed by journalists said he heard explosions nearby and saw smoke rising into the air. According to a source within the security services, roads were cordoned off and security measures were stepped up. Al Jazeera reports that explosions were also heard near the Ministry of Tourism.
According to AFP sources, the explosions were caused by two devices: one was planted in a rubbish bin, the other in a car near the Four Seasons Hotel.
The Élysée Palace stated that the explosions were not heard from the presidential motorcade. A Reuters journalist, who was accompanying Macron as part of the press corps, also did not hear the explosions and did not notice any commotion during the French president’s morning engagements.
Later, Syrian state television reported that Macron and al-Sharaa had met at the Presidential Palace in Syria.
This is the first visit by an EU leader to Syria since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in 2024.
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