WASHINGTON, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The United States insisted on Monday that the missile defense system that will expand into Poland and the Czech Republic will be beneficial for the NATO alliance.

    "We believe that this is something that provides a valuable means of preventing an attack from a rogue state or other kinds of elements out there. And it's something that is beneficial for the United States and beneficial for the alliance," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said.

    Casey made the remarks after NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer warned that the missile defense system is going to split the alliance between those who will be protected by the system and who will not.

    "There have certainly been extensive discussions about this at the alliance. The alliance has a standing position on issues related to missile defense. And I expect if there are concerns that any nation or individual have that they'll continue to be raised in that fora," Casey said.

    The United States has claimed the missile defense system is aimed at states and groups in the Middle East that are seeking weapons of mass destruction.

    As a result, the United States plans to base missile interceptors in Poland and radar units in the Czech Republic as part of a project to extend the missile defense system to Europe.