US invites Syrian Deputy FM, Mekdad to washington for talks ...

Reuters/ here

"The United States has invited a Syrian official to Washington for the first time in five years as part of its efforts to improve relations with the Damascus government, a U.S. official and diplomats said Sunday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal al-Mekdad will visit Washington Monday to discuss Iraq and U.S. sanctions on Syria in a move that could help a slow rapprochement between the two countries, started by U.S. President Barack Obama soon after he took office in January, the diplomats said...

"Deputy Foreign Minister Mekdad will meet with U.S. government officials on a range of issues," the U.S. State Department official told Reuters, without giving details. "His visit is part of a continuing dialogue with Syria.".....

"Obama has to have something to show for his overture toward Syria, and the Syrians may have to deliver more," one source following the talks between the two sides said..."