Explosions rock Damascus, wounding 4, as French President Macron visits Syria

Middle East Explosions rock Damascus, wounding 4, as French President Macron visits Syria July 7, 20264:59 AM ET By  The Associated Press Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, right, meets French President Emmanuel Macron at the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria on Tuesday. Ghaith Alsayed/AP hide caption toggle caption Ghaith Alsayed/AP DAMASCUS, Syria — Explosions rocked Damascus on Tuesday as France's president met with his Syrian counterpart in a landmark visit, wounding at least four people according to Syrian state media. The foreign fighters who helped topple Assad — and why China worries about them Emmanuel Macron had entered the presidential palace to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa when the explosions happened near the Four Seasons Hotel. Syrian authorities did not immediately comment on the incident. Syrian media reported that Macron was staying at the Four Seasons. The French president's office said he was safe and that his meeting with al-Sharaa was continuing. Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa came to power and his visit comes before he heads to a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Sponsor Message Macron played a major role in pushing Europe and the United States to drop most sanctions on Syria. He arrived in the country Monday night with an economic delegation, and is scheduled to sign memorandums of understanding with his counterpart as the battered country tries to lure investors to help it rebuild after 14 years of war. State television, citing an unnamed security official, reported that the two blasts in the heart of the capital were caused by explosive devices, one placed in a garbage bin and the other in a parked car. The report added that four people were wounded including several police officers, and no deaths were immediately reported. An investigation is currently taking place at the scene of the attack. A large plume of smoke could be seen from the site. The area is on a busy street in Damascus a...