Rice: Germany backs US new strategy for Iraq

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has claimed the new controversial strategy for Iraq of US President George W Bush has the backing of Germany, the weekly Der Spiegel news magazine said in a report made available in Sunday's publication.

Rice, who met earlier this week with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin, said the German government was "rather sympathetic" to the new US plan in Iraq.

She added that Berlin was "impressed and delighted" over the renewed American military engagement in Iraq.

Rice's latest comments stand in stark contrast to remarks made by German leaders who have repeatedly called for greater focus on a political rather than military solution to the Iraq conflict.

Berlin had also expressed support for the recommendations of the Baker-Hamilton commission which urged direct talks between the US and Iran and Syria in a bid to help stabilize the Iraq situation. Washington has refused to take part in direct negotiations with Iran and Syria.

Germany had strongly opposed the US invasion of Iraq in March 2003.