Series of blasts near Macron's Damascus hotel wounds 18

A series of explosions near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during his visit to Syria wounded multiple people Tuesday. The French presidency said Macron was unharmed.

The blasts occurred Tuesday morning near the Four Seasons Hotel in the Syrian capital Damascus, where Macron had been staying since arriving Monday.

Syria's Interior Ministry said 18 people were wounded in the explosions, including four police officers.

The first blast went off shortly after Macron's motorcade left the hotel en route to the presidential palace. The second explosion occurred near 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 can after the first explosion, followed by a second blast just a few meters away.

As rescue workers moved in to fight the fire, thick black smoke was seen billowing from near shops behind the blast site.

Despite the explosions, Macron arrived safely at the presidential palace, where Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa received him.

The French presidency said in a statement that Macron was safe and would not cut short his visit to Syria. According to the statement, Macron had not even heard the blasts.

In a social media post, Macron made no mention of the explosions, writing, "My visit continues." He added: "Nothing will suppress the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a sovereign, secure, pluralistic and unified Syria. This Tuesday morning, I witnessed Syria's full diversity firsthand. I saw dignity, courage and determination."

Roads in the area were sealed off following the blasts, with tight security measures put in place.

Macron is the first European leader to visit Damascus since the ouster of former dictator Bashar al-Assad and the rise of the al-Sharaa government.

He made the stop in Syria ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.

Since taking office, al-Sharaa has worked to consolidate full control over the war-ravaged country and restore stability — particularly by reaching out to ethnic minorities skeptical of an Islamist government and courting Western support from nations wary of his past leadership of an al-Qaeda-linked group.

Macron has played a leading role in persuading the United States and Europe to lift most of their sanctions on Syria.

Macron arrived in Syria Monday night accompanied by a business delegation and is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with al-Sharaa, who is working to attract foreign investment to help rebuild the country after 14 years of civil war.