Syria’s Interior Ministry confirmed that a series of explosions hit the capital Damascus on Tuesday amid a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Local reports indicate that the blast, which injured at least 18 people, occurred near the Four Seasons hotel, where Macron is staying.
However, they occurred while the Frenchman was meeting with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace.
Macron is the first Western leader to meet al-Sharaa since the ouster of strongman Bashar Assad in December 2024.
Officials told reporters that Macron and al-Sharaa were not harmed. Police said the bombs were planted in a parked car and a dustbin near the hotel, which is on a busy road near the National Museum in the center of the city.
The incident comes just days after 10 people were killed in a bomb blast at the Damascus Cafe near the Justice Ministry.
Syria is trying to strengthen international ties and boost investment after more than a decade of devastating civil war that has left nearly half a million people dead and thousands displaced.
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for any of the recent violence in the capital.
Edited by: Natalie Muller