New Delhi: In a notable and light-hearted meeting at the White House, former US President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has a controversial past as a former Al-Qaeda commander.
This visit marked al-Sharaa’s first official trip to the White House since Syria’s independence from France in 1946, taking place amid a recent US decision to temporarily suspend sanctions on Syria for 180 days.
The encounter between Trump and al-Sharaa was marked by witty exchanges and symbolic gestures. Trump gifted al-Sharaa a bottle of perfume, jokingly spraying some on him and saying, “This is the best fragrance… and the other is for your wife.” When Trump playfully asked al-Sharaa how many wives he had, the Syrian leader replied in good humour, “One,” prompting laughter from those present.
Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has previously distanced himself from his ties to Al-Qaeda, stating in a Fox News interview that those connections belong to the past. During the White House meeting, there was no discussion on this subject, focusing instead on bilateral relations and regional issues.
Trump remarked on al-Sharaa’s tumultuous past, acknowledging everyone’s difficult histories and expressing confidence in al-Sharaa’s capability to lead effectively. The Syrian president took power in December last year following significant advances by his Islamic forces against Bashar al-Assad’s government.
In addition to the perfume, al-Sharaa presented Trump with symbolic gifts, including replicas of ancient Syrian artifacts such as the world’s first alphabet and the first postage stamp.
This visit symbolizes a potential warming of US-Syria relations amidst cautious diplomatic engagement and strategic interests in the region.