should withdraw its forces from syria, saying they are illegitimately there, because they don't have the support of president assad. take a listen to that. >> after the country has been liberated, the presence of the foreign troops, foreign bases, on the soil of syria would be only legitimate with the consent of the syrians themselves. >> reporter: to be clear, the only forces that are allowed to intervene in syria would be only those sanctioned by president assad, suggesting only russia and hezbollah. >> strictly speaking, yes. >> reporter: lavrov saying america is right to be in syria as long as the fight against isis continues but not after that. clearly america's allies would not agree with that, richard. >> keir, thank you so much, nbc's keir simmons with that exclusive interview. we'll have more of that in the