Obama reiterates that the US will "not tolerate safe havens for terrorists" in a press conference

Speaking at a press conference on the White House lawn, US President Barack Obama acknowledged that the US had struck Islamic State targets in Syria, reiterating that he had "made clear that as part of this campaign we would take action against targets both in Iraq and Syria.”

He emphasised the importance of US allies in the region, including the input of Saudi Arabia and the new Iraqi government.

“This is not America’s fight alone," he said and also stated that the people of the Middle East were "rejecting" the Islamic State and their ideology.

He re-stated the US committment to train and arm the Syrian opposition and said he would "not tolerate safe havens for terrorists who threaten our people" also noting the US strikes on Al-Qaeda affiliate Khorasan.

A cross-partisan committment to the strikes in the US, with both Democrats and Republicans supporting, was also important, saying “America is always stronger when we stand united.”

He said the US would continue their campaign in Iraq and Syria “for the security of the country, the region and the entire world.”