U.S. rules out deploying Patriot missiles in Syria

WASHINGTON, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government on Tuesday ruled out deploying Patriot missiles in Syria to protect the opposition there despite such request from Syria's resigned opposition head Moaz al-Khatib.

"Well, we are aware of the request and, at this time, NATO does not intend to intervene militarily in Syria," said White House spokesman Jay Carney at a briefing.

"I think that a Patriot missile battery would fall within the definition of military assistance," he told reporters, stressing that the Patriot missile batteries currently deployed in Turkey are only to defend "its territory and people."

However, Carney also said that the Obama administration is constantly reviewing its policies in Syria.

Moaz al-Khatib, resigned head of exiled Syrian opposition coalition, took up Damascus' seat at the ongoing Arab League summit held in Qatar's Doha. During the summit, al-Khatib said he had asked Washington to extend the Patriot missile protection into northern Syria.

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