French President Emmanuel Macron is unharmed following a series of explosions that occurred in central Damascus on Monday, reportedly near the hotel where he was staying.
The Elysee Palace confirmed that while the French leader is safe, several individuals sustained injuries in the blasts.
According to a security source, the incident involved two explosive devices, while Syrian media reported that 18 people, including four police officers, were wounded, reports BBC.
At the time of the reports, President Macron was in the capital for high-level discussions with his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa, at the presidential palace. Officials noted that the President did not hear the explosions while he was travelling to the meeting.
Social media footage and images verified by experts showed smoke and flames originating from a vehicle on Shoukry al-Quowatly, a major thoroughfare in the city. The site of the blasts was identified as being approximately 125 metres from the Four Seasons hotel.
Despite the security breach, the Elysee Palace stated that the visit “continues as planned”. Following his engagements in Syria, Macron is scheduled to travel to Turkey for the Nato summit.
Macron’s arrival on Monday evening marks a significant diplomatic moment, as he is the first EU leader to visit the country since the conclusion of Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule.
The capital has been on high alert following a separate bombing at a cafe in central Damascus earlier in July, which killed at least nine people and injured 22 others.
