BREAKING NEWS

Merkel slaps down German spy agency's criticism of Saudi Arabia

By REUTERS

DECEMBER 4, 2015 16:19

The German government rebuked its own foreign intelligence agency, the BND, on Thursday for suggesting that Saudi Arabia was becoming more "impulsive" in its foreign policy.

In an unusual public statement on Wednesday, the BND also said Saudi Arabia - the world's No. 1 oil exporter - was losing confidence in the United States as a guarantor of Middle East order and that Riyadh therefore appeared ready to take more risks in its regional competition with Iran.

"The assessment, in this case made public, does not reflect the stance of the government," a spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel said, adding that Berlin viewed Saudi Arabia as an important ally in a region shaken by crisis.

A diplomat at the Foreign Ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, was more frank.

"The BND surely does not speak for German foreign policy, especially not via third parties," said the diplomat, referring to the circumstances of the BND publication.

The spy agency issued the 1-1/2 page report, entitled "Saudi Arabia - Sunni regional power torn between foreign policy paradigm change and domestic policy consolidation", to some German media. Reuters also obtained a copy.

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