UK: NATO's Stoltenberg has 'serious concerns' about Turkey's Syria offensive

*NO CUTAWAYS AT SOURCE*
M/S NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg walking out of 10 Downing Street, London
SOT, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: "It reflects that many NATO allies are very critical and are condemning the military operation in Northern Syria. I have also expressed my serious concerns about this ongoing military operation, I did so in Istanbul on Friday, I am concerned about how this can further escalate the tensions in the region, how it can further destabilise the region and the human suffering. And not least, I'm concerned about the consequences for our, for the gains we have made in fighting our common enemy Da'esh. And it's extremely important that we preserve those gains."
SOT, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: "We have all made a lot of progress and we have made great achievements in the fight against ISIS or Da'esh. The Global Coalition to defeat Da'esh has achieved a lot because not so long ago Da'esh controlled a territory as big as the United Kingdom in Iraq and Syria and millions of people. Now all these people are liberated, all the territory is liberated and that's exactly what we should not put in jeopardy and that's also why I and many other leaders have expressed concerns, serious concerns, about the ongoing operation."
SOT, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General: "Well, NATO is not on the ground and NATO does not support this operation of course, many NATO Allies have expressed strong criticism. What I can say is that I'm deeply concerned about the consequences, both when it comes to the fight against Da'esh, human suffering and stability in the wider region."
SCRIPT
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated his "serious concerns" about the ongoing Turkish military operation in northern Syria and warned it could "further destabilise the region". He was speaking to reporters outside 10 Downing Street in London on Tuesday, after the UK announced that it was suspending new arms sales to Turkey.
Asked to comment on the suspension, Stoltenberg said, "It reflects that many NATO allies are very critical and are condemning the military operation in Northern Syria." He further added that, "I am concerned about how this can further escalate the tensions in the region, how it can further destabilise the region and the human suffering. And not least, I'm concerned about the consequences for our, for the gains we have made in fighting our common enemy Da'esh."
Although existing arms sales can continue under current export licences, the UK joins Italy, France and Germany among other countries who have stopped future weapons exports to Turkey following its military operation in Syria.