'Ban full-face veil wherever legally possible', Angela Merkel says

Angela Merkel has repeated her call for a burqa ban in Germany.

The German Chancellor, who has just won a new two-year term as leader of her party, said the Islamic full-face veil must be banned "wherever legally possible".

Speaking to the conservative Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), she added that it "is not acceptable in our country".

She said: "In interpersonal communication, which plays a fundamental role here, we show our face.

"And that's why a full veil is inappropriate in our country.

"It should be banned wherever legally possible. It does not belong in our country."

She also stressed her determination to prevent a repeat of last year's huge migrant influx and speed up deportations.

Ms Merkel is now set to launch her bid for a fourth term as German Chancellor.

Merkel ran unopposed today for the leadership of the CDU - the springboard for her run for a fourth term as chancellor in next year's German election.

She won 89.5% of delegates' votes at the congress in the western city of Essen, a drop from the 96.7% she won two years ago.

France banned the full-face veil in 2011 and was followed by Belgium, Bulgaria and parts of Switzerland.