Explosions were heard in the Syrian capital, Damascus, today, Tuesday, according to a Reuters witness.
The agency quoted a security source stating that a group of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying.
اضافة اعلان
On Monday, Macron began a visit to Damascus, the first by a leader of a major Western nation since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's rule in December 2024.
Syrian television later reported that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa received Macron at the presidential palace after the explosions were heard in Damascus.
During his talks with Sharaa today, Macron will discuss the reconstruction of the war-torn country and reiterate his message regarding Syria's "unity" and "pluralism."
After more than 13 years of a conflict that depleted the economy and its capabilities, and deepened Syria's isolation from its region and the world, the country is seeking to "reposition itself as a gateway to the East for the European Union," explains Arthur Quesnay, a researcher at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne.
The stakes involve securing maritime and land routes, alongside alternative connectivity networks toward Iraq and the Gulf states.
The French president is accompanied on his visit by several top executives from giant French companies, including Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman of CMA CGM, and Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies. A number of agreements are scheduled to be signed, although French investors remain cautious regarding the current situation.
Macron kicked off his meetings on Tuesday by holding a session with civil society representatives, before meeting Sharaa at the presidential palace for official talks, to be followed by an "economic forum dedicated to the reconstruction of Syria and strategic corridors."
In an interview with the French channel BFMTV on Monday evening, the Syrian president stressed that there is a "very massive investment opportunity" in his country.
He expected France to participate in rebuilding infrastructure in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and industry, pointing out that Syria is "currently processing a major contract for eight Airbus aircraft" to be ordered from the European aerospace corporation. — (Agencies)
