French President Emmanuel Macron arrived at the palace of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus following explosions earlier near his hotel, Al Jazeera reports. Macron was previously confirmed unharmed, having left the hotel roughly 15 minutes before the blasts.
French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived at the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus for his meeting with President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Al Jazeera reported Tuesday. The meeting proceeds despite explosions that struck near the Four Seasons Hotel in central Damascus earlier today. Macron had left the hotel roughly 15 minutes before the blasts and was confirmed unharmed. The explosions — caused by explosive devices detonated near the hotel — engulfed a vehicle in flames, according to earlier reports.
As The Zioneer reported at 11:11, the Elysee Palace said Macron's visit would continue as planned despite the incident. The meeting at the palace marks Macron's first official sit-down with al-Sharaa since arriving in Damascus on Monday, the first visit by a Western head of state to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime.
The circumstances and motive behind the explosions remain unclear. No group has claimed responsibility, and the extent of casualties or damage has not been independently confirmed. The Zioneer has reported throughout the day on the unfolding security situation in central Damascus.
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