NATO chief asks Turkey to exercise restraint in Syria

NATO chief on his visit to Rome and Athens invited Turkey to work together for the eradication of terrorism creating a peaceful place to live in.

Istanbul: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday said that he acknowledged Turkey's legitimate security concerns but urged Ankara to exercise restraint in its incursion into northeast Syria.

Speaking in Istanbul, Stoltenberg also expressed concerns that Turkey's offensive may jeopardize gains made against the Islamic State group.

"An imminent concern is that captured Daesh terrorists must not be able to escape," he stated.

Stoltenberg, who is on a regional visit that also took him to Rome and Athens, reiterated the importance of Turkey to work together with NATO as an allied member.