Iraq claims damage Germany in Arab world-spy chief

[ECH1969]

Allegations that Berlin helped Washington select bombing targets during the 2003 Iraq war have damaged Germany's image in the Arab world and compromised its security, Germany's intelligence chief said on Thursday.

"In Arab countries it could make us look as if we're the handmaidens of the United States and Israel," Ernst Uhrlau, the head of Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency said.

"It has not led to an increase in our security," he told reporters, adding that the safety of German soldiers in places like Afghanistan had been compromised by the allegations.

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