Tillerson: First Priority Is to Defeat ISIS

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the Trump administration's "first priority" is to defeat ISIS – and then turn its attention to "stabilizing the situation in Syria."

In an interview to air Sunday on CBS News' "Face The Nation," Tillerson was asked about further U.S. intervention in Syria while President Bashar al-Assad continues actions that have been condemned by the Trump administration as "morally reprehensible."

"We believe that the first priority is the defeat of ISIS," Tillerson declared.

“By defeating ISIS and removing their caliphate from their control, we’ve now eliminated at least or minimized a particular threat not just to the United States, but to the whole stability in the region," Tillerson said in remarks released ahead of the broadcast. 

"Once the ISIS threat has been reduced or eliminated, I think we can turn our attention directly to stabilizing the situation in Syria.”

Tillerson said the administration remains hopeful of a solution to ending the civil war within Syria – part of which will include beginning the process of political discussions.

"Clearly, that requires the participation of the regime with the support of their allies," Tillerson said, adding: "[W]e're hopeful that Russia will choose to play a constructive role in supporting ceasefires through their own Astana talks, but also, ultimately, through Geneva."

If ceasefire zones in Syria are ultimately created, "we will have the conditions to begin a useful political process," he said.

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