French President’s visit Macron safe after blast in Syrian capital.

French President Emmanuel Macron is safe after reports of an explosion in central Damascus on Tuesday morning, the Elysee Palace said.

In the capital, Macron held talks with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace.

Security sources told the BBC that the explosions were caused by two explosive devices and that several people were injured.

After his trip to Syria, Macron will head to Turkey for a NATO summit. According to the Elysee Palace, the visit “will continue as planned”.

Heavy smoke and flames from a vehicle near a hotel in the Syrian capital can be seen on social media in videos and images after reports of an explosion in the city.

As these reports came in, Syrian state television Al-Shara said it had welcomed Macron to the presidential palace.

Officials said the French president did not hear any explosions on his way to the meeting.