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

Top Republican and Democrat on key congressional panel call for sanctions to be slapped on countries that normalize with Assad, but State Department plays down rift

Iranian president describes 2-day trip to Syria, the first by Iranian head of state to Syria since 2010, as a 'turning point' in bilateral relations

Jordan Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi believes there are enough votes for Damascus to return to body; talks will also focus on Sudan and 'recent events' in Israel, West Bank, Gaza

Rare meeting comes as some Arab countries, including regional powerhouses Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have been warming up to Damascus

List of countries snubbed at massive event to be held on Saturday in London is also said to include Belarus, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Venezuela

FM Safadi says Arab envoys discussed Syria's humanitarian needs, especially post-earthquake, plus drug smuggling and refugee crisis; won't comment on possible return to Arab League

Figure going by Abu Hussein al-Qurashi 'neutralized' by intel agents, Turkish president says after operation at abandoned farm in country's northeast

Wall Street Journal says aging A-10 Warthogs upgraded to be equipped with 113-kilogram precision-guided GBU-39/B munitions, following recent attacks on US forces in Syria, Iraq