US pledges to continue Islamic State fight after troop withdrawal
(VOVWORLD) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday that although the United States is withdrawing its forces from Syria, it remains committed to fighting Islamic State militants and preventing the group from growing.
 US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
Mr. Pompeo made the statement to reporters alongside Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry after the two held talks in Cairo. While confirming the decision to pull out troops from Syria despite widespread criticism, Mr. Pompeo said the US will remain a steadfast partner in the Middle East and the withdrawal of its troops will be conducted step-by-step as scheduled.
The same day, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France will withdraw their troops from Syria once a ''political solution'' is established. Speaking to France's C-News television, the Minister said France has a military presence in Iraq and a much smaller presence in Syria. He said Russia bears responsibility for the political resolution of the Syrian conflict.