Assad's attendance at Arab League summit marks first visit since start of Syria war.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will attend the Arab League summit for the first time since Syria was suspended from the regional body 12 years ago. Syria was readmitted this month after states which had backed the opposition accepted his grip on power was secure. The rapprochement accelerated following the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and north-western Syria in February, when once-hostile powers decided to send humanitarian aid to Syrian government-controlled areas. However, not every country was enthusiastic about Syria's reinstatement, with the US stating that it does not believe Syria merits readmission.