(All quotes are transcribed from the original English)
BRUSSELS. Dec 17 (Interfax) - NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has warned Damascus that, if it uses chemical weapons against the insurgent forces, it will confront a determined reaction from the international community.
"Of course, chemical weapons are a matter of great concern. This is also a reason why 28 NATO foreign ministers expressed their grave concern when they met last week," Rasmussen said in an interview with Interfax.
"International leaders have sent a very clear message to Damascus. I hope that message has been not only heard in Damascus but also understood that the regime in Damascus will not even think of using chemical weapons. Because they might expect a determined reaction from the international community," he said.
"I would expect also Russia to react if the regime in Damascus were to use chemical weapons," Rasmussen said.
In commenting on the opinion that, by deploying Patriot missiles in Turkey, NATO is getting involved in the conflict in Syria, Rasmussen replied, "It is a purely defense measure."
"The deployment of Patriots is not a part for the preparations for no-fly zone or any offensive operation. Our position remains the same: it is a purely defensive measure, and let me reiterate what I have said previously that NATO has no intention to intervene militarily in Syria. We do believe that the right way forward is a political solution," he said.
The full version of Rasmussen's interview will be available on www.interfax.ru and www.interfax.com later on Saturday and will also be published in the Monday issue of Novaya Gazeta.