Damascus, July 7 (SANA)Syrian Interior MinisterAnas Khattabsaid on Tuesday that French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Damascus marks a historic milestone in Syria’s path toward greater openness and international cooperation. It sends a clear message that Syria is moving forward into a new phase.

“We are working with determination and resolve to accelerate Syria’s development, strengthen its security, restore its rightful place among nations, and build a future worthy of its people,” the Minister said in a statement.

He added the acts of sabotage that targeted civilians and security forces today, with the aim of affecting theFrench president‘s visit, underscore the scale of the responsibility borne by the state to safeguard security and stability and confront any attempt to undermine the country’s development and state-building efforts.

Khattab said the State institutions will continue to fulfill their duty to protect citizens, strengthen security, and pursue all those responsible for these terrorist acts.

Earlier, Khattab visited the site of the explosion near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus.

He also visited al-Mujtahid and al-Shami hospitals to check on the condition of those injured in the explosion.