A suicide attacker detonated himself next to German soldiers shopping in a crowded market in northern Afghanistan today, killing 10 people and wounding 16, officials said.

The European Union plans to pull its peacekeepers out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on schedule, despite heightened tension over the upcoming results of key elections, senior officials said today.

German defence minister Franz Josef Jung today said that six suspects were under investigation in the scandal over pictures of German soldiers posing with a skull in Afghanistan.

Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed disgust at photos that appeared to show German troops in Afghanistan posing with a human skull and pledged that any soldiers found to be involved would be punished severely.

GERMAN chancellor Angela Merkel promised tough action after German soldiers in Afghanistan were photographed playing and posing with a skull.

Germany’s Defence Ministry today said it was investigating photos published by the country’s biggest-selling newspaper that appeared to show German troops in Afghanistan posing with a skull.

Nato defence ministers yesterday approved an extension of the alliance’s Afghan security mission across the entire country, taking in the volatile eastern region and bringing up to 12,000 more US troops under allied command.

As the US today declared an “urgent” need for international troops in Lebanon, European nations appeared to be waiting for UN guidance that would clarify the rules of engagement – including the crucial question of using force against Hezbollah.

Nato defence ministers will today seek to calm Islamic anger over the Prophet Mohammed cartoons at their first meeting with counterparts from Israel and six Arab nations.

Nato will have AWACS surveillance planes patrolling the skies over Germany during the World Cup, German Defence Minister Franz Josef Jung said today.

Germany’s conservatives are moving toward completing the lineup of Chancellor-designate Angela Merkel’s cabinet, with a key ally preparing to nominate his final choice for the new government.