Barack Obama last night pledged America will not become embroiled in another ground war in Iraq as it steps up the fight against the Islamic State.
The US president's comments come despite doubts about the ability of Iraqi forces, Kurdish fighters and Syrian rebels to carry out the ground fight alone against the militant group, which has executed British hostage David Haines, who was raised in Perthshire, and two US journalists.
"The American forces do not and will not have a combat mission," Mr Obama told troops at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
It was a firm response to suggestions raised yesterday by his top military commander that under certain circumstances, American ground forces may be needed.
The Commander in Chief said his troops "will support Iraqi forces on the ground as they fight for their own country against these terrorists".
He added: "I will not commit you and the rest of our armed forces to fighting another ground war in Iraq."
Mr Obama offered a vision of a potent force that can have a major role in conflicts, a more forceful view than he has embraced before. But he still stressed that for the effort to succeed against the Islamic State group, the US will need to lead the international coalition and local forces must handle a significant role.
"Frankly, there just aren't a lot of other folks who can perform in the same way.
"In fact, there are none. There are some things only we can do. There are some capabilities only we have," he said.
"Our armed forces are unparalleled and unique. So when we've got a big problem somewhere around the world, it falls on our shoulders. Sometimes that's tough. But that's what sets us apart. That's why we're American."
Mr Obama spoke after consulting with officers at US Central Command, which oversees American military efforts in the Middle East.
His speech to troops at MacDill Air Force Base was one more chance to try to make the case for the air strike campaign against the militant group.
Mr Obama's meeting with Gen Lloyd Austin, the Central Command head, and other officers took place as Congress prepared to vote on Mr Obama's request for authority to equip and train Syrian opposition fighters.
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