CRI听力:Syria Willing to Cooperate in Fighting Terrorism: FM

Syria's foreign minister says his country is willing to cooperate with the international community to combat terrorism and the so-called Islamic State.

However, the Syrian side is warning the US must co-ordinate with Damascus before launching any air strikes on its territory.

Walid Al-Moallem's suggestion marks the first public comments by a senior Syrian official about the Islamic State, which has captured large swaths of Syrian and Iraqi territory.

Moallem is also welcoming a UN resolution passed on Monday to help battle the Islamic militants in Syria.

"I assure you that Syria is ready to cooperate and coordinate on regional and international levels to fight terrorism to implement the resolution of the Security Council 2170 in the framework of respecting the sovereignty and the independence of Syria. Taking into consideration that the Syrian government is representing Syrian sovereignty, but any effort to combat terrorism should be coordinated with the Syrian government."

The United States has been bombing Islamic State fighters in Iraq, and has hinted it could be willing to take action in Syria.

On Sunday, Islamic State militants captured a major Syrian military airbase.

The airbase was the last government-held outpost in the region, which is mostly controlled by the Sunni militants.

In Geneva, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is condemning human rights violations by Islamic State militants.

Navi Pillay is warning violations, such as killings, forced conversions, abductions and human trafficking amount to crimes against humanity, and can be punishable under international law.