Roads have been sealed off and security measures implemented after the blasts, that were heard in Damascus.
A witness told Reuters news agency explosions went off in the vicinity of the French leader’s hotel and verified footage appeared to show smoke rising from a road near the Four Seasons in the Syrian capital.
Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Damascus since former Syrian dictator, Bashar al Assad, was toppled – to be replaced by ex-al Qaeda commander and rebel leader, Ahmed al Sharaa.
The French president was received by the Syrian leader at the presidential palace shortly after news of the explosions broke, according to Syrian state TV that reported there were two blasts.
The Elysee Palace said the president did not hear any explosions while on his way to meet al Sharaa.
The French president’s office added that he was safe and that his visit to Syria was continuing.
There were no immediate reports of casualties and no group has yet to claim responsibility.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
