Turkey to ask for Nato support on border with Syria
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Buy SPH photosBRUSSELS (AFP) - Turkey is expected to ask Nato on Monday to deploy Patriot anti-missile batteries along its border with Syria as European Union ministers explore ways of assisting Syria's new opposition coalition.
Ministers will examine a French call for the 27-bloc to formally recognise the opposition National Coalition as sole representative of the Syrian people as well as a controversial proposal from Paris to arm the rebels.
Meanwhile Ankara was expected to lodge a formal appeal with Nato for the deployment of Patriot anti-missile batteries to protect its border with Syria.
Stepping into talks with EU defence ministers, Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the 28-member alliance, which includes Turkey, had received no formal request from Ankara but said if one was made, "we will consider that as a matter of urgency".
