Germany’s Merkel calls Obama amid phone tapping claims

PanARMENIAN.Net - The German government said Chancellor Angela Merkel has called Barack Obama after receiving information that U.S. intelligence may have targeted her mobile phone, Belfast Telegraph reported.

Spokesman Steffen Seibert said Merkel made clear in her call that "she views such practices, if the indications are confirmed ... as completely unacceptable" and called for U.S. authorities to clarify the extent of surveillance in Germany.

A statement from Seibert said the German government "has received information that the chancellor's cellphone may be monitored by American intelligence".

The government would not elaborate but news magazine Der Spiegel, which has published material from NSA leaker Edward Snowden, said its research triggered the response.

The White House said Obama has assured Merkel that the U.S. is not listening in on her phone calls.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the two leaders spoke by phone, adding: "The United States is not monitoring and will not monitor the communications of the Chancellor."

Carney said the U.S. is examining Germany's concerns as part of a review of how the U.S. gathers intelligence.

The White House has cited that review in responding to similar spying concerns from France and other U.S. allies.