Angela Merkel: Germany not to allow Greece to leave euro

 German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told the BBC it would be a huge political mistake to allow debt-stricken Greece to leave the euro.

"We have taken the decision to be in a currency union. This is not only a monetary decision, it is a political one. It would be catastrophic if we were to say to one of those who have decided to be with us: 'We no longer want you'."

She said the eurozone would be "incredibly weakened" by a Greek exit. "People all over the world would ask: 'Who will be next?'"