Dempsey stands by 'boots on ground' position

General Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters on Friday that he stands by his statement last week that US troops might be deployed in Iraq or Syria.

As he and Chuck Hagel, US Secretary of Defence, spoke at a press conference from the Pentagon, Dempsey was asked whether he stood by his 'boots on the ground' statement.

"If you are asking me, would I provide my best military advice at all times the answer is absolutely. If you are suggesting that at some point, I might recommend we need a big ground force to fight ISIL, the answer is also absolutely. The only truly effective force to reduce ISIL is a force comprised of Iraqi and Kurds and moderate Syrian opposition. At some point, if we have to advise them more closely than we currently are, of course, I would recommend that. I just stand by the statement . . . the president gave me a mission - destroy ISIL - and I will do what it takes to destroy ISIL."

Seated next to Dempsey on a dais, Hagel - who was one of several US officials who appeared to distance themselves from Dempsey's comments last week - said, "In all the meetings I’ve been in for past one and a half years, the president and I have made it clear that he expects the absolute most direct and honest military advice that Dempsey and other military leaders have given. He must get it and he relies on it."