Schroeder defends beleagured Fischer

The German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has backed his Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer for the first time since allegations surrounding the Green Party politician's radical past emerged.

Mr Fischer has never denied being a left-wing activist in the 1970s, but the recent publication of pictures of him apparently fighting with a police officer during a 1973 demonstration have again raised questions about his involvement in violence.

However, Mr Schroeder said that Mr Fischer had proved through his work that he was a very good representative of Germany abroad.

Despite the negative publicity, surveys suggest that the vast majority of Germans want Mr Fischer to stay in his job.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service