Relations between US President Donald Trump and Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa appeared warmer than ever at the White House, with video from the meeting showing the US president spraying cologne from his fragrance line on the Syrian president and his translator, then presenting it as a gift.
The video attracted widespread attention online for the exchange between the two. The president told al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, this was "the best fragrance" and presented it to him along with another perfume for "his wife," then immediately asked the Syrian president, "How many wives do you have?"
Video: Trump gifts Syrian President al-Sharaa his fragrance at the White House. Credit: Social media
The cheerful meeting came as the two leaders gathered to advance relations between the US and Syria. In an interview with Fox News, the Syrian president said Syria is now viewed as a "geo-political ally" of the US, and a place where "they can make investments."
A day before he met with the US president, the Syrian leader was seen shooting baskets with CENTCOM General Brad Cooper, in a gesture of strengthening relations between him and American leaders.
Al-Sharaa, who until recently was known by his alias "al-Julani," was a longtime jihadist who was part of the ranks of organizations associated with al-Qaida and ISIS, and even orchestrated an attack against Israel – milestones that led to his designation as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" by the US, with a reward of approximately $10 million for information leading to his capture. President Trump decided to lift the sanctions on al-Sharaa, who has transformed into a political leader following the collapse of the Assad regime in December, when he assumed Syria's presidency as the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
