The Syrian government says it is willing to help the US fight Islamic State militants, which has taken hold of significant areas of land in Syria and Iraq.
An assertion by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem that Damascus is now at the center of an international coalition had the US State department on the defensive, Monday.
Washington has hinted at expanded airstrikes in Syria, but has yet to announce a decision.
US State department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, insisted that just because the Syrian regime is prepared to fight ISIS it still needs to address the root causes of the ongoing conflict.
IN: " In our view...
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