LONDON 4 Dec (ANA) - Nato leaders are meeting near London, as tensions between members threaten to overshadow a summit marking the military alliance's 70th birthday.

The three-hour talks are expected to cover issues such as cyber-attacks and the strategic challenge posed by China.

In opening remarks, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson reminded members of the alliance's principle of "one for all, and all for one".

Tuesday saw sharp exchanges between the US and French leaders over many topics.

The highly choreographed anniversary gathering, intended to show unity, has been unable to hide deep differences between member states, BBC Defence Correspondent Jonathan Beale reports.

Although the 29-member bloc's future is not in doubt, there are disagreements over Turkey's recent military action in northern Syria, the levels of military spending by members and recent comments by French President Emmanuel Macron that the alliance is "brain dead". 

Despite the divisions, Mr Johnson described Nato as a "giant shield of solidarity" that "protects nearly a billion people", saying at the start of the meeting at a luxury resort near Watford: "As long as we stand together no-one can hope to defeat us." 

Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg cited increased spending commitments on defence by European allies and Canada, saying: "Nato is the most successful alliance in history because we've changed as the world has changed".

Since becoming US president, Donald Trump has frequently and forcefully criticised how much other Nato allies spend on defence. 

The first day of the special anniversary summit saw tensions bubble to the surface. Mr Trump and Mr Macron met for talks and in a news conference sparred over Nato's role, Turkey, and Islamic State group (IS) fighters.

Ties between Mr Trump and Mr Macron were already strained amid a dispute over taxes and trade, and comments from the French president last month that the US commitment to the alliance was fading.(ANA)

FA/ANA/4 December 2019------