Macron Warns Against Syria Destabilization After Bomb Attack Injures 18

French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned on Tuesday that Syria must not be destabilized following twin bomb explosions near the Damascus hotel where he stayed overnight, during a historic state visit to a nation emerging from years of civil conflict.

The blasts overshadowed the inaugural visit by an EU head of state since Bashar al‑Assad’s overthrow in late 2024, as President Ahmed al‑Sharaa seeks to restore Syria’s image after over a decade of war.

The two leaders pledged to deepen economic and diplomatic cooperation, planning to exchange ambassadors in the near future.

At a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Macron declared that such attacks must not destabilize the nation, noting he had already proceeded to the presidential palace in central Damascus and reaffirmed France’s backing for Syria.

Sharaa praised Macron’s “courage” for pressing ahead with the visit despite the bombings.

An AFP team observed Macron arriving for talks with Sharaa, while other journalists reported hearing at least one explosion reverberate across Damascus, followed by a plume of smoke near the hotel as security forces sealed off a road and ambulances sped to the area.

The Syrian interior ministry stated that one device was concealed in a car parked beside a road, while the second was hidden in a trash container.

The ministry added that the devices detonated while efforts to defuse them were underway.

Syrian state media reported that the explosions wounded 18 individuals, among them four police officers.

An AFP photographer stationed opposite the hotel, near Syria’s tourism ministry, noted shattered windows from one blast amid a heavy security deployment.

Economic forum

The Élysée Palace announced that Macron would continue his itinerary until his scheduled departure Tuesday evening, when he will fly to Ankara for a NATO summit and meet Turkey’s president the next day.

The attacks mark the second incident in the Syrian capital since Thursday, when a bombing at a Damascus café claimed ten lives.

Macron is set to become the first Western European leader to visit Syria after Assad’s fall.

The French president delayed announcing the visit’s date until his aircraft landed on Monday, citing security concerns.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al‑Shaibani described Macron’s visit as a “pivotal point” in bilateral relations, pledging to continue confronting terrorism in all its forms.

Sharaa further announced that the two sides have agreed to initiate the exchange of resident ambassadors between Damascus and Paris at the earliest opportunity, signalling a return to normal diplomatic ties.

The explosions occurred just moments before Syrian state television announced Macron’s arrival at the presidential palace.

The visit featured an economic forum where the two governments signed 15 bilateral agreements covering civil aviation, health, banking, water infrastructure and roads, even as French investors remain wary of the prevailing conditions.

“‘After the Strait of Hormuz crisis, the world recognizes the value of a safe and stable corridor,’ Sharaa remarked at the forum.”

“‘Here the importance is highlighted of Syria’s geography, which has today reclaimed its vital role as an indispensable link in the global corridors market,’ he added.”

Macron was accompanied by several business leaders, including Rodolphe Saade, CEO of maritime transport giant CMA CGM, and TotalEnergies chief Patrick Pouyanne.

Prior to the Damascus blasts, Pouyanne observed that “the security situation still does not permit operations, but I believe it is a positive initiative to come here, to Damascus.”

(With newswires)

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