NATO foreign ministers have approved Turkey's request for Patriot anti-missile systems to bolster its defence against strikes from neighbouring Syria. All parties have been quick to claim that the Patriots will be strictly defensive weapons.

The move comes as fears grow that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces may deploy chemical weapons. The Syrian Foreign Ministry though has stressed Syria will not use chemical weapons against its people under any circumstances.

Last month Turkey asked NATO for Patriot anti-missile systems, which can be used to intercept missiles and planes.

Following a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, their request was granted.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO Secretary General, said, "Today NATO agreed to augment Turkey's air defence by deploying Patriot missiles to Turkey. Turkey has asked for NATO support and we stand with Turkey in the spirit of strong solidarity. To the Turkish people we say, we are determined to defend you and your territory. To anyone who would want to attack Turkey, we say: don't even think about it."

The United States, Germany and the Netherlands are the countries likely to supply Turkey with the Patriots. And the deployment of the weapons systems near Turkey's southern border could take place within the next few weeks.

The foreign ministers of the Netherlands and Germany say it is important that NATO remains united in helping to protect Turkey from any potential threat.

Frans Timmermans, Dutch Foreign Minister, said, "I think we have an obligation as a NATO ally to help protect NATO's borders and I think if one of our allies asks us to help with that, I think you need to consider this very carefully and positively."

Guido Westerwelle, German Foreign Minister, said, "For us one thing is crystal clear: we stand together as a union, we stand together to defend our partners. Therefore, I think it is absolutely decisive and necessary that we support Turkey."

Turkey has been highly supportive of the Syrian opposition and wants the Patriots to defend against possible attacks by Syrian missiles, some of which are capable of carrying chemical warheads.

Asked about the possible use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government, NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that any such act would provoke an immediate international response.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov however has questioned the legitimacy of claims that the Syrian government is readying chemical weapons.

Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, said, "It is not the first time that such messages appear. We can call them rumours, we can call them leakage, that Syrian authorities are moving the stockpile of chemical weapons or that they want to use those weapons. As soon as we hear such messages, we investigate, and every time we get confirmation that nothing of that sort is being prepared."

Lavrov also reiterated Russia's opposition to the planned deployment of the Patriots, saying the move will only further inflame tensions in the region.