Macron says France ready to help rebuild Syria following bombs, explosions near his hotel

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus on Tuesday, pledging France's readiness to help rebuild Syria's economy and banking sector. His visit continued despite two bomb explosions near the Four Seasons hotel, where he had been staying and meeting with civil society groups. Macron stated at a news conference alongside Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, "We want to continue working on the restructuring of the banking sector," adding that France was assisting the Syrian central bank. The explosions occurred in a busy area between the Syrian Tourism Ministry and the national museum. Macron posted on X that "Nothing can undermine the desire of Syrians to live in a fully sovereign and secure Syria," and that he had met "Syria in all its diversity, and I saw dignity, courage and determination."

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We want to continue working on the restructuring of the banking sector.

Macron, who has advocated for lifting Western sanctions on Syria, was accompanied by business leaders, including the CEOs of TotalEnergies and CMA CGM. The Elysee announced that CMA CGM signed a partnership deal covering air cargo freight handling at Damascus airport. France and Syria will also begin restoring €51 million ($58.3 million) in assets previously confiscated from Rifaat al-Assad, the uncle of Bashar al-Assad.

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Nothing can undermine the desire of Syrians to live in a fully sovereign and secure Syria.