President Barack Obama said Tuesday that Syria is “crumbling” and that addressing the conflict in the region is "one of our highest national security priorities."
“We still have a horrendous situation on the ground in Syria,” he said during a joint press conference with French President Francois Hollande. “I don’t think anybody disputes that.”
The president said that the United States does not see a military solution to the conflict at this time, although it will continue to explore all possible options.
The United States and France will continue to push Russia and Iran “to realize that it is in nobody’s interest” for the bloodshed to continue in Syria, Obama added, saying the deterioration of the country is bad for global security.
“Nobody’s going to deny that there’s enormous frustration here,” Obama said of the diplomatic troubles, noting that Russia is a “holdout” on efforts to provide humanitarian aid within the country.