US denies Barack Obama knew of surveillance on Angela Merkel

The US has dismissed reports that President Barack Obama was informed about the tapping of Angela Merkel’s mobile phone, even as an American daily on Monday said that spying of as many as 35 world leaders, including the German Chancellor, ended when it was brought to his notice.  The NSA has refuted that it ever discussed such spying programmes, in particular those of Merkel, with Obama.  ‘(NSA Director) Gen (Keith) Alexander did not discuss with President Obama in 2010 an alleged foreign intelligence operation involving German Chancellor Merkel, nor has he ever discussed alleged operations involving Chancellor Merkel. Reports claiming otherwise are not true,’ NSA spokesperson Vanee’ Vines, said.  The denial came after a report by Bild am Sonntag newspaper said Obama was informed about the NSA’s tapping of Merkel’s mobile phone already in 2010 by its director. agencies