Nato hails Patriot deployment
2012-12-14 20:16
Brussels - Nato on Friday welcomed a US order to deploy
two Patriot missile batteries and some 400 personnel near Turkey's border with
Syria while insisting the move was purely defensive.
"We welcome the United States' contribution of two
Patriot missile batteries to augment Turkey's air defences," said Nato
spokesperson Oana Lungescu after US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta issued the
order to deploy the Patriots before landing in Turkey.
"This is a strong commitment to Alliance solidarity
and security," Lungescu said.
"The deployment will be defensive only. It will not
support a no-fly zone or any offensive operation," she added.
"Its aim is to deter any threats to Turkey, to
defend Turkey's population and territory and to de-escalate the crisis on Nato's
south-eastern border."
Nato also welcomed the intention of Germany and The
Netherlands to contribute two batteries each.
The deployment aims to bolster Turkey's air defences amid
tension on the Turkish-Syrian border.
- SAPA
