Explosions heard in Damascus during French President Macron's visit

Explosions were heard in the Syrian capital Damascus on Monday during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, according to a Reuters witness. The witness reported hearing explosions in the vicinity and seeing smoke rising. Roads were sealed off and security measures were implemented after the blast, Reuters news agency announced.

Macron is the first major European Union leader to visit Damascus since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The visit comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize the region and address the humanitarian crisis following years of civil war.

The cause of the explosions was not immediately clear, and no group claimed responsibility. Syrian authorities have not yet commented on the incident. The French delegation was reported to be safe, and Macron's schedule continued as planned.

According to Mehr News Agency, the explosions occurred near the area where Macron was holding meetings. The incident highlights the fragile security situation in Syria even after the change in government. The visit by Macron is seen as a significant diplomatic move, signaling a potential shift in Western engagement with the new Syrian leadership.