Germany ready to keep Patriot missiles in Turkey's southeast

Germany's Defense Ministry Deputy Spokesman Ingo Gerhartz dismissed media reports over claims that Patriot Missile Batteries in Turkey would be withdrawn at the end of 2014, adding that the mission could be extended for two more years.

Germany has announced it is prepared to extend its deployment of Patriot missile batteries in Turkey if Ankara requires it.

The announcement on Monday came one day after the German press reported that NATO allies had begun talks on halting the mission - which Ankara had requested in 2012 amid possible threats from Syria - at the end of 2014, following the removal of chemical weapons from its southern neighbor.

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