America will be in Middle East 'for 50 years'

American troops could remain mired in Middle East conflicts for another 50 years, a leading former commander has warned.

Retired general John Abizaid , who was head of US forces in the area, said: “We shouldn’t assume for even a minute that in the next 25 to 50 years the American military might be able to come home, relax and take it easy, because the strategic situation in the region doesn’t seem to show that as being possible.