US, July 7 -- Two explosions struck the area around the Four Seasons Hotel in central Damascus on Tuesday, injuring at least 18 people and triggering a major security operation while French President Emmanuel Macron was making a landmark visit to Syria.

According to the Hotels website the property is no longer managed by Four Seasons.

According to Syrian state media, the blasts occurred near the Ministry of Tourism and the National Museum, directly across from the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron had been meeting members of Syrian civil society before departing for talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

French officials said Macron was already en route to the presidential palace when the explosions occurred and was never in dang...