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French President Emmanuel Macron safe after bomb blasts near his hotel in Damascus
CBS News • • world
Key Points:
- French President Emmanuel Macron narrowly escaped a possible assassination attempt during his visit to Damascus when two bombs exploded outside the hotel where he had stayed, though he was unharmed and continued his meetings.
- The explosions occurred as Macron met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, with one bomb reportedly placed in a dumpster and another in a vehicle near the Four Seasons Hotel, injuring 18 people including police officers.
- No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and Syrian state media confirmed the blasts but did not report any direct casualties among officials.
- Macron emphasized Syria's aspirations for sovereignty and unity in a statement, continuing his visit despite the attack.
- The incident follows a recent bombing in Damascus that killed at least 10 people, and highlights tensions amid President Sharaa's efforts to transition Syria toward democracy after his past as an ex-rebel commander.
