Germany defers decision on modernization of Turkish "Leopard 2" tanks: report

BERLIN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The German government has postponed a decision on whether it will approve the modernization of German-manufactured "Leopard 2" tanks employed by the Turkish military, the magazine SPIEGEL reported on Thursday.

SPIEGEL cited information that German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) had reached a decision to defer the issue until after a new government had been formed.

"The Federal Government is very concerned over the military conflict in northern Syria", Gabriel told SPIEGEL. He added that it was "clear" for the current cabinet that it could not allow arms exports into "areas of tension."

In freezing the modernization program, Berlin gave in to mounting public pressure to halt deliveries of military technology to Turkey immediately after reports suggested that German-made tanks were being employed during a Turkish offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria.

The Turkish government previously expressed a desire to have its "Leopard" tanks upgraded by German manufacturer Rheinmetall. At the time, Gabriel had told press that he saw "no reason" why Berlin should not grant its NATO partner Turkey such a request.

Turkey was quick to express its disgruntlement over the news of a change in circumstances on Thursday. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevluet Cavusoglu said that his country expected "support and solidarity from ally Germany." Enditem