A top Republican has said US President Donald Trump remains committed to defeating Islamic State (IS) in Syria, despite his plan to withdraw US troops.
Senator Lindsey Graham said he was now reassured of the president's commitment after meeting him on Sunday.
Trump's troops withdrawal plans was met with strong criticism from major allies, as well as senior Republicans like Graham. The president and White House have yet to comment on any formal plan changes. On 19 December, Trump announced the pullout of some 2000 troops, asserting that IS had been defeated. Critics of the plan dispute this claim, arguing the move could lead to a resurgence of IS which would hurt national security. US troops have helped rid much of Syria's north-east of the jihadist group, but pockets of fighters remain. Two people have resigned since the decision was announced - Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and a top US official in the fight against IS, Brett McGurk.