• Two improvised explosive devices detonated in Damascus, injuring at least 18 people, including four police officers, during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Syria.
• The explosions occurred near the hotel where Macron is reportedly staying, causing alarm among residents in the Syrian capital, but the French president was unharmed and his official programme continued as scheduled.
• Macron, the first EU leader to visit Syria since 2010, was meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace when the explosions took place, with detailed talks between delegations from both countries ongoing.

At least 18 people, including four police officers, were injured when two improvised explosive devices detonated in Damascus on Tuesday, the Interior Ministry said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group, said that an initial blast was followed within seconds by a more powerful explosion, both near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly staying during his visit to Syria.

The Élysée Palace in Paris confirmed that Macron was unharmed. The explosions caused alarm among residents in the Syrian capital.

According to the Interior Ministry, cited by the official SANA news agency, the explosions occurred outside the security perimeter established for the French president's visit and posed no direct threat to Macron or his official programme, which was continuing as scheduled.

Emergency services and ambulances reportedly rushed to the scene immediately. Security forces also cordoned off the surrounding area.

Macron arrived in Syria on Monday evening, becoming the first EU leader to visit the country since 2010.

Amid reports of explosions, the official SANA news agency reported that Macron was currently meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace.

Macron remained at the presidential palace, where detailed talks between delegations from both countries were under way, it said in a statement.