Greece has rejected the Turkish response to plans to deploy a missile system on the island of Crete.

The Defence minister, Akis Tsohatzopoulos, called the Turkish reaction a threatening factor in the region.

The Russian-made system had originally been ordered by the Cypriot government, but president Glafkos Clerides gave in to international pressure and agreed to a Greek offer to install them on Crete.

Turkey, which had threatened military retaliation if the missiles arrived in Cyprus, criticised the compromise proposal, saying it would still increase tension with Athens.