Ankara: Turkey has dismissed Russian and Iranian concerns that the possible deployment of NATO missiles along the country`s southern border with Syria would make the crisis more complicated.

In a televised interview on private news channel CNN Turk, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said: "We cannot see any point that would justify these concerns. The missile system has a defensive purpose only. This system will not be operational unless there is a risk to our security. "And it is our government`s obligation to take any measure when there is even the slightest chance of risk." "When the risk against our borders is alleviated Patriots will leave our country," he added.

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Last Wednesday, Turkey placed a formal request to NATO for deploying Patriot missiles along the Syrian border, which saw an escalation of tensions between the two neighbours after a stray Syrian shell had landed in Turkey, killing five people.

IANS