The US has been in direct contact with the Islamist movement that spearheaded the offensive to topple Bashar al-Assad despite its designation as a terrorist organisation, as western and regional powers push for a peaceful transition in Syria.
On Saturday US secretary of state Antony Blinken became the first American official to acknowledge that Washington had been in contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has taken control of Damascus.
After meeting regional counterparts in Jordan, he said the US and its allies had agreed on a “set of shared principles” to guide their support for Syria, including a Syrian-led political transition that is “inclusive and representative” and respects all minorities.