UPDATE: The German government on Monday dismissed as "absurd" remarks by former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi about the Holocaust which have sparked outrage across Europe.
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel was snubbed by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi on Saturday when he continued a mobile phone call instead of greeting Merkel and posing for a group photo with NATO's other 27 leaders on a bridge spanning the Rhine river.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated conservative leader Silvio Berlusconi on a “convincing” win in Italy’s legislative elections, a government spokesman said Tuesday.