The State Department on Monday reaffirmed its opposition to countries upgrading their ties with the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, even if it is an effort to aid Syria's earthquake relief.

"Our position on the Assad regime has not changed. Now is not the time for normalization. Now is not the time to upgrade relations with the Assad regime," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in response to the news of Egypt's foreign minister visiting Syria and Turkey.

"We believe we can fulfill and that countries around the world can fulfill both of these imperatives, addressing the humanitarian needs of the Turkish people, addressing the humanitarian needs of the Syrian people, without changing or upgrading their relationship with the Assad regime," Price added.

The death toll from the earthquake stands at over 5,900 people in Syria and over 44,000 in Turkey, but the numbers are expected to rise. When the earthquake first hit, Price said the US would not work with Assad's government on the relief effort, saying it would be "counterproductive."