- Damascus was hit by explosions on Tuesday, injuring at least four people, Syrian state media reported.
- The blasts occurred at the hotel where Emmanuel Macron was staying, moments before he met with Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa. The French President, however, did not hear the blasts while travelling to meet Syrian President Sharaa, according to the Elysee Palace.
- Macron's visit marks him as the first major Western leader to travel to the war-torn country since the removal of Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
- This visit takes place amidst a period of relative calm in the Middle East, following a month-long conflict involving Iran and Lebanon.
- Macron is set to proceed to Ankara for the Nato summit, where Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is also anticipated to attend and hold a high-profile meeting with US President Donald Trump.
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