WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama still has confidence in General Lloyd Austin, who heads the U.S. military's Central Command, and his leadership of efforts to fight Islamic State forces in Syria, the White House said on Thursday.
Austin told Congress on Wednesday that only four or five U.S.-trained Syrian rebels are still fighting in Syria.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Obama administration has not relied solely on training and equipping Syrian rebels to combat Islamic State militants.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter also has "full confidence" in Austin's ability to lead Central Command, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told a news briefing, adding that Carter admired Austin's "candor." Central Command has an area of responsibility covering the Middle East and Central Asia.
Earnest said Austin is considering a number of changes to the military's training program for Syrian rebels.
"The president believes the program needs to operate at a much higher level," Earnest told reporters at a briefing.
