Explosions injure 18 in Damascus during Macron's visit

A number of people have been injured after explosive devices went off in central Damascus, reportedly near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron had been staying.A security source told the BBC the blasts were caused by two devices. Syrian media said 18 people, including four police officers, were injured. Macron is in the capital for talks with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace. His officials said he was safe and did not hear the explosions.After travelling to Syria, Macron is set to head to Turkey for the Nato summit. The visit "continues as planned", according to the Elysee Palace.After reports of explosions in the city, videos and images on social media showed plumes of smoke and flames rising from a vehicle near a hotel in the Syrian capital.As those reports came in, Syrian state television said that al-Sharaa had welcomed Macron to the presidential palace.BBC Verify analysis of video footage of the blasts located the explosions at approximately 125m from the Four Seasons hotel, on a major thoroughfare running through the capital. ReutersMacron's officials said the French president did not hear any explosions on his way to meeting Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa