In brief
French President Emmanuel Macron was safe after explosions erupted in central Damascus on Tuesday morning. While in the capital for a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa, two explosive devices detonated, wounding several people, yet Macron did not hear the blasts and continued his schedule. Government officials confirmed his safety and that the visit proceeded as planned, before he headed to Turkey for the NATO summit. The incident follows a recent bomb blast at a café in Damascus that killed nine and injured 22.
French President Emmanuel Macron is safe following reports of explosions in central Damascus on Tuesday morning, the Elysee Palace said.
Macron was in the capital to meet his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al‑Sharaa at the presidential palace.
A security source told BBC the blasts were caused by two explosive devices and that several people were wounded.
After arriving in Syria on Monday evening, Macron became the first EU leader to visit the country since the fall of Bashar al‑Assad’s 24‑year rule.
The visit will continue as planned, according to Elysee officials, as Macron is set to head to Turkey for the NATO summit.
Videos and images on social media captured plumes of smoke and flames rising from a vehicle near a hotel in the Syrian capital. Syrian state television said al‑Sharaa welcomed Macron to the presidential palace.
BBC Verify analysed footage of the blasts, which were estimated to have occurred about 125 m from the Four Seasons hotel on the pavement of Shoukry al‑Quowatly, a major thoroughfare in the city.
Macron reported not hearing any explosions on his way to the meeting.
During his trip, which marked the first EU leader visit since the Assad regime, Macron also faced real‑time security threats. Earlier this month, a bomb blast at a crowded café in central Damascus killed at least nine people and injured 22, according to Syrian state media.
