The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has told Israel that her nation is "filled with shame" over the Nazi holocaust and that she bows before its victims.

Mrs Merkel delivered the speech, in German, on the last day of a three-day visit to the Middle Eastern country. Speaking to the Knesset, or parliament, the chancellor praised the warm ties between the two nations, and said that Germany would always stand by Israel's side.

She singled out Iran as the greatest threat to Israel's security.