The US intend to maintain its military presence in Syria if the territory in the north of the country along the Turkish border is occupied by government troops of President Bashar al-Assad, the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters.

His remarks came following talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, TASS reported.

The creation of a security zone in the northern Syria is necessary to ensure the Turkish national security, he said adding that this does not violate the territorial integrity of the neighboring state.

The US said that if the Assad regime returns there, then they will not leave Syria, he added.

According to him, the withdrawal of the US troops from Syria is important for the country and the entire region.