DAVOS — U.S. policymakers should concentrate on eliminating the threat posed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad instead of “Islamic State” militants in Iraq and Syria, according to an influential member of the Saudi Arabian royal family.

Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud told CNBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos that the reason why “Islamic State” exists is because of what’s happening in Syria. He has called on U.S. authorities including the government, the Central Intelligence Agency and the military to act.

“They are all aware of what needs to be done,” he said. “It needs the political will.”

The prince, who is a former intelligence chief in Saudi Arabia and ambassador to the U.S., said that the United States is currently “leaving Assad to continue his murderous campaign.”

President Bashar al-Assad’s regime was accused of using chemical weapons against civilians in 2013, but the U.K. rejected the use of military action in Syria. The U.S. has also been reluctant to intervene in Syria despite President Obama initially threatening missile strikes.

Instead, the U.S. turned its attention to the “Islamic State” which has taken control of parts of both Iraq and Syria. 

Prince Turki likened the “Islamic State” to the Mafia, saying that it was “more criminal than they are religious.” He agreed that the region needed to create more opportunities for young people and suggested a multi-pronged attack of better education, better economies and a better family unit would help diminish the threat of these groups.