New Delhi: The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said his visit to Syria would continue as planned after twin explosions struck central Damascus near the hotel where he was staying, injuring at least 18 people. The blasts occurred just hours before his official engagements with Syria’s new leadership, but the French delegation remained unharmed.
Syrian authorities said the explosions took place near the Four Seasons Hotel after bomb disposal teams attempted to defuse two explosive devices discovered close to the security perimeter. At least four police officers were among those injured, while investigators said preliminary leads had emerged, though no group had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Responding to the incident, Macron said the bombings would not deter France’s engagement with Syria and reaffirmed support for the country’s sovereignty, stability and recovery. In a post on X, he said his visit would go ahead as scheduled despite the attack.
The explosions came days after another bombing at a cafe in central Damascus that killed at least 10 people, highlighting the security challenges facing Syria’s new administration. The latest attack also overshadowed Macron’s visit, the first by a French head of state since 2008 and the first by a western leader since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.
During the visit, France and Syria agreed to restore ambassador-level diplomatic relations after a 14-year freeze, formally resuming diplomatic representation between the two countries. France had closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012 as the Syrian civil war intensified.
The two sides also signed 15 agreements covering sectors including civil aviation, healthcare and banking, while France pledged support for Syria’s reconstruction and financial recovery. Macron further announced an agreement to return more than €50 million in assets seized from Rifaat al-Assad, saying the funds would be used for development projects benefiting the Syrian people.
France and Syria also agreed to expand cooperation in security and counterterrorism, while Macron reiterated support for Syria’s territorial integrity and criticised foreign military operations inside the country. The visit reflects renewed diplomatic engagement with Damascus even as Syria continues to face persistent security threats.