BRUSSELS (REUTERS) - It is crucial to keep the military option on the table in dealing with the Syria crisis, Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Thursday.

"I think it is essential for keeping momentum in the diplomatic and political process that the military option is still on the table," he said at an event organised by the Carnegie Europe think-tank.

"I think, irrespective of the outcome of the deliberations in the UN Security Council, the military option will still be on the table."