(FILES) A file handout picture released by the official Syrian

PHOTO:AFP Russia on Saturday said Syrian rebels are preparing a

US National Security Advisor John Bolton arrives for a press

A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News

People walk near a portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

(From L) Head of the Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE)

PHOTO:AFP Syrian regime forces advanced against jihadists Saturday on the

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. PHOTO: Bulent Kilic / AFP

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with his Syrian