Nato has approved the deployment of anti-missile defence systems along Turkey’s border with Syria.

The move has been taken following concerns that Syria is preparing to use chemical weapons. The decision was made at a Nato meeting in the Belgian capital city of Brussels on 4 December.

“Turkey asked for Nato’s support and we stand with Turkey in a spirit of strong solidarity,” said Anders Fogh Rasmussen, secretary-general of Nato, following the meeting in Brussels.

On 3 December, US President Barack Obama warned Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad that his regime would face grave consequences if chemical weapons were used.

“The use of chemical weapons is, and would be, totally unacceptable, and if you make the tragic mistake of using these weapons, there will be consequences and you will be held accountable,” said Obama in a speech to the National Defence University in the US.

According to activists, more than 40,000 people have now been killed since the uprising against Al-Assad began in March 2011. Approximately 2.5 million Syrians have been displaced due to the continuing violence.