Explosion Near Macron's Hotel During Syria Visit... France Says "President Safe"
A total of 18 injured, including four police officers
Macron to continue his visit as scheduled
Emmanuel Macron, President of France, who is currently visiting Syria, was staying at a hotel when a series of explosions occurred nearby, resulting in multiple injuries.
According to Yonhap News Agency on July 7 (local time), the explosions took place that morning near the Four Seasons Hotel in the Syrian capital, Damascus. President Macron had arrived in Damascus the previous day and was staying at this hotel.
The Syrian Ministry of Interior reported that a total of 18 people were injured in the aftermath of the blasts, including four police officers.
The first explosion occurred just after President Macron's motorcade left the hotel en route to the presidential palace. The second explosion happened next to an ambulance at the scene, where about 20 people had gathered following the first blast.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames and smoke rising from a trash bin after the first explosion, as well as the moment the second explosion erupted just a few meters away.
Despite the explosions, President Macron arrived safely at the presidential palace, where he was welcomed by Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara.
The French presidential office stated in a press release that President Macron is safe and will not suspend his visit to Syria, continuing with his schedule as planned. According to the statement, President Macron did not even hear the explosion sounds.
On social networking services (SNS), President Macron did not mention the blasts, simply stating, "My visit continues." He added, "Nothing can suppress the aspirations of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria. This morning, I witnessed all the diversity of Syria firsthand. I saw dignity, courage, and determination there."
Following the explosions, the surrounding roads were closed off, and additional security measures were implemented.
President Macron is the first European leader to visit Damascus since the ousting of Syria's former dictator Bashar al-Assad and the rise of the Al-Shara administration.
He visited Syria ahead of attending the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit to be held in Ankara, Türkiye.
Since taking office, President Al-Shara has worked to regain full control and stabilize war-torn Syria. He has especially sought to include minority groups who are skeptical of Islamist rule and to gain support from Western countries, which remain wary due to his past leadership of Al-Qaeda-linked organizations.
President Macron has played a leading role in persuading the United States and Europe to lift most of the sanctions on Syria.
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Arriving in Syria the previous night with an economic delegation, President Macron is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with President Al-Shara, who is striving to attract foreign investment for national reconstruction after 14 years of civil war.
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