NATO chief Rasmussen urges Israel for restraint

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen expressed concern about the escalation of violence in Gaza and Israel on Monday and welcomed efforts to end the crisis. "NATO is not involved in the Middle East Peace Process and we don't seek a role," he told journalists as he arrived for a meeting with EU Defence Ministers. But Rasmussen said he is very much concerned about the escalation of violence both in Gaza and Israel and regrets the death and suffering of innocent people both in Gaza and Israel. "Israel has the right to to self-defence, and attacks against Israel must end, but the international community woud also expect Israel to show restraint, " he said. The NATO chief welcomed regional and international efforts to find a settlement to the Gaza crisis. Meanwhile, Rasmussen said NATO has not yet received a formal request from Turkey on the deployment of Patriot missiles. "The situation on the Syrian Turkish border is of great concern," he said noting that the Alliance has all plans in place to defend and protect Turkey if needed. If Turkey requests a defence protection that request will be considered in a mater of urgency, he added.