Brussels:
Any use by the Syrian regime of chemical weapons against its own people would spark an immediate reaction by the international community, NATO head Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned on Tuesday.
"The possible use of chemical weapons would be completely unacceptable to the whole international community and I would expect an immediate reaction from the international community," Rasmussen said.
Speaking at the opening of a NATO meeting expected to approve Turkey's request for Patriot batteries to counter any Syrian threat, Rasmussen said Damascus' chemical weapons stockpiles were "a matter of great concern."
He said they had to be taken into account when assessing the threat to NATO member Turkey, which wants the US-made Patriot missiles to be deployed along its border with Syria.
"This is also the reason why it is a matter of urgency to ensure effective defence and protection of our ally Turkey," he added.
US President Barack Obama on Monday bluntly warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against the use of chemical weapons as he seeks to put down a 21-month revolt that has left more than 41,000 people dead.
"I want to make it absolutely clear to Assad and those under his command, the world is watching, the use of chemical weapons is and would be totally unacceptable," Obama said.
"If you make the tragic mistake of using these weapons, there will be consequences and you will be held accountable."
The Syrian government, which is fighting hard to prevent the capital Damascus from falling to rebel forces, on Monday repeated a pledge that it would never resort to chemical weapons.
"The possible use of chemical weapons would be completely unacceptable to the whole international community and I would expect an immediate reaction from the international community," Rasmussen said.
Speaking at the opening of a NATO meeting expected to approve Turkey's request for Patriot batteries to counter any Syrian threat, Rasmussen said Damascus' chemical weapons stockpiles were "a matter of great concern."
He said they had to be taken into account when assessing the threat to NATO member Turkey, which wants the US-made Patriot missiles to be deployed along its border with Syria.
"This is also the reason why it is a matter of urgency to ensure effective defence and protection of our ally Turkey," he added.
US President Barack Obama on Monday bluntly warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against the use of chemical weapons as he seeks to put down a 21-month revolt that has left more than 41,000 people dead.
"I want to make it absolutely clear to Assad and those under his command, the world is watching, the use of chemical weapons is and would be totally unacceptable," Obama said.
"If you make the tragic mistake of using these weapons, there will be consequences and you will be held accountable."
The Syrian government, which is fighting hard to prevent the capital Damascus from falling to rebel forces, on Monday repeated a pledge that it would never resort to chemical weapons.
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