EXPLOSIONS rocked Damascus today as France’s president met with his Syrian counterpart, wounding at least 18 people, Syria’s Interior Ministry said.

Emmanuel Macron was inside the presidential palace when the explosions happened and his office said he was safe and that the meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa continued.

“Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic and united Syria,” Mr Macron said in a social media post hours after the deadly explosions.

“This morning I met Syria in all its diversity. I saw dignity, courage and determination.”

A large plume of smoke was seen from the site of the explosion near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Syrian media reported Mr Macron was staying.

Footage widely circulated on social media showed a van and a motorcycle on fire and blood stains on the street in the area on a busy street near the headquarters of the Tourism Ministry and the Damascus National Museum.