US, Turkish presidents agree to keep pursuing negotiated settlement for Syria

The U.S. and Turkish presidents agreed to keep pursuing a negotiated settlement for northeastern Syria that meets both countries' security needs, as well as their mutual interest in expanding U.S.-Turkish trade, the White House said on Sunday. In a phone call, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed condolences for the death of four U.S. citizens in Manbij, Syria, in a suicide bombing on Wednesday claimed by the Islamic State militant group, while U.S. President Donald Trump stressed "the importance of defeating terrorist elements" in Syria, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a readout of the call. 

(With inputs from agencies.)