Two explosions occurred in central Damascus on the morning of July 7 near the
Four Seasons hotel where French President Macron was staying. The Elysée Palace
said Macron was "unharmed" and would continue his visit. Syrian security sources
said one device was placed in a trash bin and another in a car near the hotel;
witnesses reported smoke. Macron had left the hotel for the presidential palace
when the blasts occurred; he arrived in Damascus on the evening of July 6 and
held talks on July 7 with Syrian leader Ahmed Shala. This is the first visit by
a Western major-power leader since Syria's transitional government took power.
No casualty figures have been reported.
