Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa meets French President Emmanuel Macron at the presidential palace in Damascus
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement saying that he would continue his visit after an explosion occurred near the hotel where he was staying in Syria.“Nothing can stifle the ambition of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, secure, pluralistic and unified Syria.
This morning I met Syria in all its diversity. He said in a statement to Channel X: I saw dignity, courage and determination, adding: My visit continues.
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This comes after two explosions occurred in central Damascus earlier on Tuesday near the Four Seasons Hotel, where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during his historic visit to Syria. The explosions injured at least 18 people, according to the Associated Press, but Macron was unharmed and went ahead with his scheduled meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Other details received from Damascus indicate that two explosive devices exploded near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron was staying, leading to an intense security deployment and the closure of roads around the area. A Reuters witness reported that he heard explosions and saw smoke rising from the site, while video clips circulated on social media showed a burning car and bloodstains on the street. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.Read also: Explosions near the Macron Hotel in Damascus during the French leader’s meeting with the Syrian presidentThe incident came a few days after a bomb exploded in a cafe near the Palace of Justice in Damascus, killing at least 10 people and wounding about 20 others.