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ANKARA, Feb. 21-- Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Western allies of Turkey should lend support in the face of threats from Syria and the deployment of U.S. Patriot missile systems in Turkey is on the agenda. "They previously sent air defense batteries. Our country is threatened by airstrikes and missiles. So there might be Patriot (missile) support. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is closely watching the situation, and there might be further action and plans coming from their side," Akar said during a televised interview to cnnTurk late Thursday. When asked about the interference of the U.S. troops in Idlib, Akar ruled out the possibility. Highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Idlib, the minister said the "active support" of the international actors is just as important as words. The Turkish government recently asked Washington to deploy Patriot air defense systems on Turkey's southern border, semi-official Anadolu Agency quoted a U.S. official as saying on late Thursday. "We're aware of a request for Patriot systems but understand no decision has been made," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Ankara and Moscow have held two rounds of talks in a bid to calm down tension in Idlib but have yet to reach a solution. Turkish officials threatened to resort to military offensive if the Syrian government does not retreat in Idlib Province. The Turkish and Russian delegations will continue discussions next week after the Turkish side declined a Russian proposal to withdraw rebels to a certain area in Idlib. | 
