French President Emmanuel Macron is meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus, Israeli media report. A statement said Macron was unharmed after multiple explosive devices detonated near his hotel earlier, but he did not hear the blasts and arrived safely at the presidential palace. Syrian authorities sealed off nearby roads; casualties and cause remain unclear.
French President Emmanuel Macron is now meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus, as of 12:28 Jerusalem time, following explosions near his hotel earlier today. The high-level encounter, first reported by The Zioneer at 10:49 Jerusalem, is proceeding as planned despite the security incident.
The explosions were first reported by a Syrian security source at 11:13 Jerusalem, stating that two improvised explosive devices detonated. By 11:13, reports indicated three people were killed. The Elysee Palace confirmed at 11:13 that Macron was unharmed and had already left the area. At 11:14 Jerusalem, Al Jazeera reported Macron's arrival at the presidential palace. At 11:26, the Elysee said Macron did not hear the blasts. At 11:56, the French presidency confirmed multiple devices detonated near his hotel. Syrian authorities sealed off nearby roads.
Macron's visit is the first by a Western head of state to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime. The meeting with al-Sharaa, as The Zioneer reported at 10:49 Jerusalem, marks a significant diplomatic engagement.
The cause of the explosions and whether there were casualties remain unclear. It is also unknown if the explosions were targeted at Macron's delegation.
7 developments
- DevelopingMacron responds to Damascus explosions: 'My visit continues, Syrians aspire to live in secure, sovereign Syria'
- DevelopingElysee: Macron did not hear Damascus explosions, on his way to Syria meeting
- StrongMacron arrived at Syrian president's palace after explosions near his hotel
- StrongSyrian Interior Ministry: Two explosions near Tourism Ministry in Damascus were improvised bombs, 18 wounded
Source and signal
- Internal intake