The former German Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, has stepped down as leader of his Christian Democratic Party, following the party's defeat in the September general election.

Mr Kohl, who has led the party for twenty-five years, wasmoved to tears at a party conference in Bonn when a long-time colleague, the former labour minister, Norbert Blum, praised his achievements -- mentioning in particular the unification of Germany.

The party's parliamentary leader Wolfgang Schaeuble was elected unopposed as Mr Kohl's successor.