By Michael GeorgyDUBAI, July 10, (Reuters) - Preliminary investigations into the cell behind Tuesday's bombings in Damascus, near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron spent the night, indicate it was affiliated with Islamic State, a senior Syrian security official said.Two bombs exploded near the hotel, wounding 18 people and overshadowing Macron's visit — the first by a European Union head of state since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.WHAT IS ISLAMIC STATE?

A series of explosive devices blew up near a hotel where Emmanuel Macron is currently staying in Damascus, according to a security source.

The blasts underscore the major security challenges in Syria, where French President Emmanuel Macron is the first head of state of a European Union country to visit since rebels…