BEIJING, Nov. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- As a member of NATO, Turkey has officially asked its alliance to deploy Patriot missiles along its border with to help it defend itself and to prevent a spillover of the civil war into Turkey. NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that the allies will discuss this without delay.

Rasmussen said, "I have received a letter from the Turkish government requesting the deployment of Patriot missiles. Such a deployment would augment Turkey’s air defence to defend the population and territory of Turkey. It would contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis along NATO’s south-eastern border. And it would be a concrete demonstration of alliance, solidarity and resolve."

Rasmussen also said the Turkish government stressed that the deployment will be defensive only, and that it will in no way support a no-fly zone or any offensive operation.

If approved, the deployment would be undertaken in accordance with NATO’s standing air-defence plan. Within the alliance, only the , and the Netherlands have Patriots in their arsenals.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said he had told his country’s ambassador to NATO to approve Turkey’s request. The Dutch government said it would "consider the request and investigate the desirability and possibility of contributing.

(Source: CNTV.cn)