Obama lauds Cameron for British aid against Islamic State

David Jackson | USA TODAY

President Obama called British Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday to thank him for this week's Parliament approval of air strikes against Islamic State positions in Syria.

Obama "welcomed the outcome of the vote and expressed his appreciation that British air forces have joined with ours and those of other Coalition members in striking ISIL (the Islamic State) in Syria as well as in Iraq," the White House said in a statement.

The leaders discussed other ways to battle the Islamic State, and "reiterated that all countries are welcome to join the existing Coalition, if their political and military objectives in Syria are consistent with those of the Coalition," the White House said.

The statement also said that Obama and Cameron also discussed counter-terrorism in general, and that Obama, "on behalf of the American people, accepted the Prime Minister's condolences for the loss of life in the San Bernardino shootings this week."