Like the United States, Germany and the Netherlands also deployed Patriot defense missiles to Turkey at the start of this year.

This is NASA's 21st mission to Mars since the 1960s, but it is the first one devoted to studying the Martian upper atmosphere.

Ivanishvili, now acting Georgian PM, earlier nominated Garibashvili, the country’s interior minister and his long-time associate.

Iran stresses that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only, but world powers suspect it is seeking to develop nuclear weapons.

Large numbers of demonstrators were expected to turn out, extending turmoil that has dogged Egypt since Mursi ouster.