Bombs explode near Damascus hotel housing Macron on Syria visit

Blasts did not interrupt French president's visit but are setback for Syrian leaders' attempt to project stability

Explosions rocked Damascus near the hotel where French president, Emmanuel Macron, was staying on Tuesday, wounding at least 18 people, Syrian authorities said.

Macron was in the presidential palace for a meeting with the Syrian president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, when two improvised explosive devices detonated near the Four Seasons hotel where Macron was reported to be staying.