Merkel calls for explanation over Afghan airstrike (Extra)

Nov 26, 2009, 15:04 GMT

   Berlin - Amid a mounting political crisis in Berlin over a lethal, German-ordered airstrike two months ago in Afghanistan, Chancellor Angela Merkel Thursday called for an inquiry into the aftermath.

   She spoke only hours after Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg announced the resignation of General Wolfgang Schneiderhan, Germany's top military officer.

'I've always said that if we want to win confidence, we have to have full transparency,' Merkel said.

'In that regard, the present defence minister has of course my full support if he investigates, so to speak, what maybe needs investigating and backs and puts into effect the necessary consequences,' she added.

Merkel said she expected the former defence minister, Franz Josef Jung, who is now labour minister, to give an explanation 'in the same spirit.' Jung was defence minister at the time of the September 4 airstrike.

Guttenberg said earlier that Peter Wichert, a junior minister who had been in office under Jung, was 'taking responsibility' by resigning. The resignations came after it emerged that the military knew on September 4 the strike must have killed civilians yet denied it.