Merkel "deeply regrets" German president's resignation

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday she deeply regrets President Horst Koehler's surprise resignation that was triggered by his controversial comments on Germany's military deployment abroad.

Merkel told a press conference in Berlin that Koehler called her Monday morning to inform her of his decision and she had tried in vain to dissuade him from resigning.

Merkel said she deeply regrets Koehler's decision to step down and sees him as an important adviser at times of economic and financial crisis.

Source: Xinhua