NATO to help Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan to build up security

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday the alliance's ministerial meeting would enhance support for partners in North Africa and the Middle East.

"NATO will help countries like Tunisia, Iraq and Jordan build up their own security," the secretary general said in a press conference.

The Foreign Minister's meeting which starts tomorrow takes place amid turbulent times. We face unprecedented security challenges both at home and abroad and NATO is responding to these challenges," he added.

On Libya, Stoltenberg said that the NATO supports UN efforts to find a political solution in Libya and doesn't plan to launch a military operation in the country.

On Turkey, the secretary general said that foreign ministers are expected to formally agree to send more military hardware to Turkey's borders.

Stoltenberg added that he expected a decisions on a package "within weeks".

So far, the United States has moved jets to the Turkish NATO air base Incirlik, while Britain has said it will also send jets to the region. Germany and Denmark are sending ships to the NATO fleet in the eastern Mediterranean.

"We are also working on further assurance measures to support Turkey, the NATO ally who's on the frontline of that volatile region, bordering Iraq and Syria," Stoltenberg said.

Sources: MENA