In the cache of nearly 3, 000 e-mails obtained by CNN, it does not appear al-Assad reciprocates her advances.

CNN: Flirtatious e-mails fill al-Assad's inbox

Mr Lee, who like his opposite number comes from modest origins but unlike him is a business-friendly conservative, reciprocates the warmth.

ECONOMIST: America and South Korea

"We hope Malaysia reciprocates the same call for a ceasefire, " he added.

BBC: Malaysian soldiers in Sabah province (7 March 2013)

Asma, who boasts in one e-mail to a friend that she is the "REAL dictator" in her relationship, reciprocates the affection, once writing her husband a short poem.

CNN: Flirtatious e-mails fill al-Assad's inbox