Merkel says Islam is not source of terrorism

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Islam is not the source of "terrorism" and that cooperating with predominantly Muslim states in the fight against it is vital.

Merkel, who has been critical of US President Donald Trump’s attempt to impose a temporary travel ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries, was speaking on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference, with US Vice President Mike Pence in the audience.

Merkel said Europe’s ties with Russia remained challenging, but it was important to work with Russia in the fight against ISIS and similar groups.

She stressed the need to preserve and strengthen multilateral structures such as the EU, NATO and the UN during an address that came as concern grew about the Trump administration’s approach to international affairs and fears that it may have little interest in working in multilateral forums.

Trump’s criticism of NATO as "obsolete", his praise for Britain’s decision to leave the EU as well as his softer approach towards Russia have unnerved allies.

"Acting together strengthens everyone," said Merkel. "We must see that the multilateral structures are in many places not efficient enough.

"I am firmly convinced that it is worth fighting for our common international multilateral structures, but we must improve them in many places."