Iran cautioned that deployment of western troops in the region is against the Muslim nations' interests after NATO chief tried to portray deployment of Patriot missile along Turkey-Syria borders as "defensive".

"We have always said that we are against foreign military presence in the region and do not consider it in the interests of the regional Muslim nations because the West has showed that it does not think about the interests of the Muslim nations and has always pursued its own interests," Vahidi told reporters.

On December 4, NATO approved Turkey's request for the deployment of Patriot surface-to-air missiles along its border with Syria.

Vahidi further said that the clashes in Syria have served the interests of the Zionist regime of Israel.

Vahidi's remarks came a day after NATO Secretary-General said the deployment of Patriot missiles by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Turkey is "purely defensive".

Speaking at a press conference after his meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, Rasmussen said NATO "has no offensive intentions whatsoever" by deploying Patriot in Turkey.

On Saturday, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi described NATO's decision to deploy Patriot missiles along Turkey's border with Syria as a plan to defend Zionists.

"Patriot missiles are a defense line for the Zionists and a result of (the West's) concern over Iran's missiles and Russia's presence to defend Syria," Firouzabadi said on Saturday.

Meantime, people in Turkey took to the streets and hold massive rallies across the country during the past few weeks to show anger at the possible deployment of NATO's Patriot missiles along their country's border with Syria.

The protesters, who carried placards in condemnation of the Turkish government's demand for the deployment of the NATO Patriot missile systems, set the US and NATO's flags ablaze.
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News ID 183690