While trying to resolve conflict in Sudan, League's readmission of Assad regime marks controversial turning point in war-torn nation's diplomatic status

Damascus partakes in preparatory session for Arab League summit, a significant step toward regional reintegration following its suspension from body at start of 2011 civil war

Move seemingly cementing Assad's comeback comes days after Arab League votes to readmit country long isolated by regional rivals that backed rebel groups in civil war

Leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Mashaal shown visiting Mecca wearing traditional pilgrimage garb

Senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur weighs in on new alliances among Iran, Saudi Arabia and Hamas; military correspondent Emanuel Fabian reports on Hamas's expanded Lebanon base

Ministers from Gulf Cooperation Council countries plus Egypt, Iraq and Jordan in Jeddah to discuss bringing Assad back into fold, angering rebels; Qatar denies détente on table

Syrian FM in country for first time since 2011; Israel looks on in alarm as Riyadh warms relations with Jewish state's enemies

Analysts say that after 8-year campaign against Houthi rebels, Riyadh wants to 'wash its hands' off the situation to focus on ambitious rebranding effort aimed at drawing tourists

Some analysts believe deal with Tehran signals maturation and realism in Prince Mohammed bin Salman's regional approach

Saudi TV reports talks on reopening embassy in Damascus, after Chinese-backed deal to reestablish relations with Iran