Islam itself is not the source of terrorism and it is critical to include Muslim countries in the fight against Islamist terror, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said.

Ms Merkel, who has been critical of the US ban on travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, made her remarks at the annual Munich Security Conference, with US Vice President Mike Pence in the audience.

The Chancellor said European countries could not fight Islamist terror alone and urged predominantly-Muslim countries to join the fight.

“I think, those countries, first and foremost have to give a contribution. Because only in this way we would be able to convince people that it is not Islam that is the source of terrorism. But a falsely understood Islam,” she said.

Chancellor Angela Merkel calls for burka ban

Ms Merkel also renewed calls for Islamic religious authorities to speak “clear words on the demarcation of peaceful Islam and terrorism in the name of Islam”.

She added: “We as non-Muslims cannot do this, it should be done by Islamic clergy and authorities.”

Her comments come after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning travel to the US from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

However, the Department of Homeland Security suspended the enforcement of Mr Trump’s immigration ban following a nationwide locking of the executive order by a Washington federal judge.

The iron Frau: Angela Merkel Show all 11 1 /11 The iron Frau: Angela Merkel The iron Frau: Angela Merkel Comeback queen: Angela Merkel at the Bellevue Palace, Berlin in 2007 EPA / WOLFGANG KUMM The iron Frau: Angela Merkel At home in Germany, the press are comparing Merkel to Margaret Thatcher (pictured in 1981), for her tough-talking stance on the Greek debt crisis GETTY IMAGES / REUTERS The iron Frau: Angela Merkel What Cold War? With Vladimir Putin and George W Bush in 2007 at a G8 summit in Germany. She's known to be an entertaining mimic; was she doing her 'Gordon Brown' for them? AFP The iron Frau: Angela Merkel The famous clip that showed George W Bush squeezing her shoulder The iron Frau: Angela Merkel Whispering with Silvio Berlusconi REUTERS The iron Frau: Angela Merkel Make 'em laugh: with Nicolas Sarkozy AFP The iron Frau: Angela Merkel Crowd-pleaser: Merkel's supporters at a 2009 election rally AFP / GETTY IMAGES The iron Frau: Angela Merkel Immortalised in doll form The iron Frau: Angela Merkel With other world leaders at last year's G20 summit AP The iron Frau: Angela Merkel With her husband Joachim Sauer EPA The iron Frau: Angela Merkel Campaigning in 1990 REUTERS

Ms Merkel also called on Europe and its allies to cooperate with Russia in the fight against Isis, in spite of tensions over Ukraine, Syria, alleged cyber attacks and the spread of “fake news”.

“The joint fight against Islamic terrorism is one area where we have the same interests and we can work together,” she said.

In her New Year’s message, Ms Merkel said Islamist terrorism is the most severe challenge facing Germany.

“It is particularly bitter and sickening when terror attacks are committed by people who claim to seek protection in our country,” Ms Merkel said.

She added: “As we go about our lives and our work, we are saying to the terrorists: ‘You are hate-filled murderers, but you do not determine how we live and want to live. We are free, considerate and open.’

“All this is reflected in our democracy, rule of law and values. They are the opposite of the hate-filled world of terrorism and will prove stronger than it. Together we are stronger. Our state is stronger.”

Loading....

She defended her decision to allow around a million refugees into the country over the last two years, stressing “how important and right it was for [the] country to help those who really need our protection find their feet here and integrate”.