Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Tuesday that their countries had agreed to exchange ambassadors, marking a new step in bilateral relations.

During a joint press conference in Damascus, both leaders condemned what they described as Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty and called for Israel’s withdrawal from areas it occupied in southern Syria.

The visit also resulted in economic agreements with French companies. Meanwhile, two explosions near Macron’s residence in Damascus injured 18 people, including four police officers.