LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman said that US forces must stay in Syria despite the latest statement by President Donald Trump calling for their withdrawal after the end of the war on Daesh. Prince Mohammed said in an interview with Time magazine: “We believe that US forces must stay in Syria for the medium term at least.” The crown prince explained that “US presence in Syria is the only way to limit Iranian influence in the region.” The Saudi crown prince said that having US troops in Syria would allow Washington to have a say in the future of that war-torn country. In the interview the crown prince warned that Iran and its militia in the region are working to open an Iranian land route that links Tehran to the Mediterranean through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. Crown Prince Mohammed replied to a question on President Assad of Syria’s future, saying “he is likely to stay as president for the time being,” but he added that “it is in President Assad’s interest not to allow Iranians a free hand in Syria.”