FM Davutoglu: "Patriots would be sent back as soon as the threat ceases"

Turkey is deploying the Patriot missile system not only against threats from the Syrian regime, but also against any group who may capture missiles in Syria, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said yesterday. "Syria is in a chaotic situation right now. We are deploying NATO's Patriots in case any kind of missile attack takes place against us from the Syrian side. This may be carried out consciously by the Syrian regime itself, or by others who might capture the missiles," Davutoglu said. Speaking at a conference organized by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), Davutoglu said it was totally untrue that the Patriot system was directed against Iran. Davutoglu also said the Patriots would be sent back as soon as the threat ceases. He also said the Patriot anti-missile systems that Turkey requested from NATO as a measure against a possible missile threat from Syria will be returned as soon as the danger ceases to exist. "If, tomorrow, we are convinced that this threat has disappeared, they will be sent back before they are even deployed. They are only for defensive purposes," he said.