The head of Nato has sought to clarify an eyebrow-raising remark he made during a news conference with Donald Trump.
While commending the US president鈥檚 efforts to mediate between Iran and Israel, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte appeared to refer to Trump as 鈥渄addy.鈥
鈥淭hey鈥檝e had a big fight like two kids in a schoolyard, you can鈥檛 stop them,鈥 Trump said of the two countries during a conference on Wednesday. 鈥淟et them fight for about two to three minutes and then it鈥檚 easier to stop them.鈥
Responding in jest, Rutte remarked, 鈥渢hen daddy has to sometimes use strong language,鈥 in a light-hearted defense of Trump鈥檚 earlier foul-mouthed tirade.
The comment was made in reference to Trump鈥檚 angry rant on Tuesday, when he told reporters that Israel and Iran 鈥渄on鈥檛 know what the f*** they鈥檙e doing鈥 after both warring nations appeared to indicate they would not adhere to a ceasefire initiated by the president.
Mr Rutte praised the president for intervening in the Iran-Israel conflict by sending US bombers to destroy nuclear facilities. Trump said the mission was a 鈥渢remendous victory for everybody鈥.
Seeking to clarify his remark, Rutte later told reporters: 鈥淭he 鈥榙addy鈥 thing, I didn’t call him daddy.鈥
鈥淲hat I said is that sometimes in Europe, I hear sometimes countries saying, 鈥楬ey Mark will the US stay with us?鈥 And I said, that sounds a little bit like a small child asking his daddy, 鈥楢re you still staying with the family?鈥.
At a press conference later that day, a reporter asked Trump how he felt when Mr Rutte had referred to the American president as 鈥渄addy鈥.
鈥淣o, he likes me, I think he likes me! If he doesn’t I’ll let you know and I’ll come back and I’ll hit him hard OK?鈥 Trump told the journalist.
鈥淗e did it very affectionately though,’ Trump continued. 鈥楧addy, you’re my daddy,鈥欌 the president said with a smile.
Mr Rutte has been highly complimentary of the president in recent days and on Tuesday sent a long message thanking him for his contributions to the world.
The Nato boss insisted that no other American president would have swiftly intervened in the conflict.