We aim to avoid civil war in Syria after defeating ISIS

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Tuesday that the US aims to avoid a civil war in Syria after defeating ISIS.

He added, America’s view that there is no future for Assad’s regime in Syria remains, stressing that Iranian fighters should return to their country, reported Al Arabiya.

Tillerson said the US will continue its efforts to resolve Qatar crisis through delegations that will be sent to the Gulf soon.

Rex Tillerson has asked two officials, including retired general and former Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni, to work to end the Gulf diplomatic crisis.

Tillerson told reporters that he had sent senior US diplomat Tim Lenderking to the region to push for progress.

“And I’ve also asked retired General Anthony Zinni to go with Tim so that we can maintain a constant pressure on the ground because I think that’s what it’s going to take,” he said.

“There’s only so much you can do with telephone persuasion.”

Zinni, now 73, was a Marine general who once commanded US forces in the Middle East. After the military he served as special envoy to Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

- Muslimchronicle