Merkel: Racist attacks in Germany 'deepest concern'

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday the country's fight against racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia was the government's "deepest concern."

The German leader's comments come as cabinet members met with leaders of migrant groups to discuss ways to protect citizens from right-wing violence and threats, following deadly extremist attacks. 

Read more: Germany and right-wing extremism: The new dimension of terror

Merkel said her government had already initiated a set of measures to combat extremism after a gunman targeted a synagogue in Halle last year. 

"We hope this will have an effect," she said, but added that "this doesn't change the way you feel."

Merkel said everyone in Germany "regardless of their skin color or faith" deserve to feels safe in the country. 

Read more: Germany's worldwide call to arms against racism

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer on Saturday announced the creation of an "independent expert group on Islamophobia," which emulates current ministerial panels on anti-Semitism and anti-ziganism. 

stb/aw (epd, KNA, AP)

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