From Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO:  This is, indeed, a matter of great concern. The international community has made clear that any use of chemical weapons is completely unacceptable and a clear breach of international law. I welcome the clear U.S. statement. It is urgent that the Syrian regime should grant access to the United Nations to investigate all the reports of chemical weapons used.

As for NATO, the Patriot deployment will ensure effective protection of Turkey against any missile attack, whether the missiles carry chemical weapons or not. As for a solution to this problem, I still believe that the right way forward is a political solution. In that respect I welcome the joint American-Russian initiative to call an international conference and I urge all parties involved, the government and the opposition in Syria to attend that conference, and hopefully pave the way for a long-term sustainable political solution. And urge all parties to stop the bloodshed immediately. 

Excerpt from remarks to the press by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, July 14, 2013.  (photo: NATO)

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