Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron to the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Tuesday shortly after two explosions near the hotel where Macron had spent Monday night. Photo by Mohamed Al Rifai/EPA
July 7 (UPI) -- French President Emmanuel Macron escaped unharmed Tuesday after two improvised bombs detonated in downtown Damascus near the hotel where Macron was staying, injuring four police officers and 14 others.
The devices, one in a car parked near the Four Seasons Hotel and the other planted in a waste bin a little further away, exploded as security forces were attempting to make them safe.
Syria's Interior Ministry said the explosions occurred "outside the security perimeter" set up around the hotel with French officials confirming Macron, who was in Damascus to meet with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, was safe and did not hear the blasts.
They said his meeting with al-Sharaa, the first by any European Union leader, went ahead as planned at the presidential palace.
