Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Explosions in Damascus near Macron’s hotel; Syrian state TV says French president at palace
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France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) and Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa attend a meeting at the People's Palace in Damascus on July 7, 2026. (Ludovic MARIN / POOL / AFP)
Explosive devices blew up in Syria’s capital Damascus near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was going to be staying, a security source says.
Syrian state TV says that Macron was received at the presidential palace shortly after the explosions.
Roads have been sealed off and security measures implemented.
A Reuters witness heard explosions in the vicinity and smoke is seen rising.
It is unclear if there are casualties.
Macron is first major EU leader to visit Damascus since Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was toppled.
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