Hamburg

CHANCELLOR Angela Merkel defended the decision to host the Group of Twenty (G-20) summit in Germany's second-biggest city, promising government compensation for property damage in the wake of looting and rioting by anti-capitalist activists in Hamburg.

Speaking at the conclusion of the two-day summit, Mrs Merkel told reporters that, purely from a logistical point of view, the gathering had to be held in a large city, given the sheer number of leaders and guests needing accommodation. Hamburg was also chosen as a symbol of openness to trade because the city of 1.7 million is Germany's largest port and richest state per capita.