US troops stay in Syria until Isil is gone - Bolton

United States National Security Adviser John Bolton. Photo: AP/PA

Zeke Miller

US troops will not leave north-eastern Syria until Isil militants are defeated and American-allied Kurdish fighters are protected, a top White House aide has vowed.

The announcement by national security adviser John Bolton signals a pause to a withdrawal abruptly announced last month by US President Donald Trump and initially expected to be completed within weeks.