Republican Senator Lindsey Graham indicated on Sunday that U.S. President Donald Trump has agreed to slow down the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Syria – just days after announcing he would be withdrawing troops immediately. 

"I think we're slowing things down in a smart way," Graham told reporters after lunch with Trump. 

"I think we're in a pause situation where we are reevaluating what's the best way to achieve the president's objective of having people pay more and do more," the Republican lawmaker said. 

"The president understands the need to finish the job," Graham said. "We talked about Syria. He told me some things I didn't know that made me feel a lot better about where we're headed in Syria. We still have some differences, but I will tell you that the president is thinking long and hard about Syria – how to withdraw our forces but at the same time achieve our national security interests." 

"I think the president is committed to making sure when we leave Syria that ISIL (Islamic State) is completely defeated," he said when asked if Trump has agreed to slow down the withdrawal. "The president is reconsidering how we would do this." On future plans, the congressional veteran noted that "I think the president has come up with a plan with his generals that makes sense to me," without giving further details.

Lindsey Graham, who as a member of the Armed Services committee has frequently visited US troops in combat zones, was once a frequent critic of Trump but, reversing course, now frequently defends him and seems to have gained privileged access to the president's ear.

Graham has been among the vocal critics of Trump's earlier announced withdrawal of U.S. troops from the Middle East country.

(Cover Photo: Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. /VCG Photo)