NATO DMs to discuss efforts for political solution to Syrian conflict

BRUSSELS, Feb 9 (KUNA) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underlined on Tuesday NATO's support for all efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. "All NATO Allies are part of the counter-ISIL coalition," he told a press conference ahead of the NATO Defence Ministers meeting here on Wednesday and Thursday. "I expect NATO to provide them with support," he said. Stoltenberg noted that the 28-member Alliance is considering the US request for NATO AWACS surveillance planes to support national capabilities, and that ministers are expected to address this issue at the ministerial meeting. "This would increase the coalition's ability to conduct air strikes against ISIL," he said, but added that NATO will not take part in any combat action. He stressed that NATO "strongly supports all efforts to end the suffering, reach a ceasefire and start a political transition in Syria." But he lamented that the" intense Russian air-strikes, mainly against opposition forces, are undermining these efforts and are driving tens of thousands of people to Turkey's border." "Overall, the substantial Russian military build-up in Syria and the eastern Mediterranean is shifting the strategic balance and raising tensions in the region. So calm, de-escalation and political solutions are more urgent than ever," he said.
NATO will soon start training of Iraqi officers to join the fight against ISIL and also work with other countries in the region to build up their defence capacity, he said.
Stoltenberg announced that the NATO defence ministers will discuss a Turkish request for help to deal with the migrant crisis.
"Over the next two days, NATO Defence Ministers will make decisions to address the changed security environment we are facing. I expect Ministers to agree to enhance our forward presence in the eastern part of our Alliance," he added. (end) nk.hm