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The outgoing US President paid tribute to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for being his “closest international partner” and launched a thinly veiled attack on Brexit in a major snub to the cherished special relationship. Speaking to the Washington press corps for the first time since the US election Mr Obama, who has often been portrayed as hostile to the UK, stressed how he will assure world leaders of America’s position on global economic and security issues. In an extraorindary snub to other world leaders, the President praised Ms Merkel and in a swipe at Britain’s historic Brexit vote, said he supported a “united Europe”.

REUTERS•GETTY President Obama praised German Chancellor Angela Merkel

In Germany I will visit with Chancellor Merkel who has probably been my closest international partner these eight years President Barack Obama

President Obama loftily insisted “We are indisputably in a stronger position today than we were when I came in eight years ago”. Before he undertakes visits to Greece and Germany next week, he said: “Our work has helped us stabilise the global economy. “In Germany I will visit with Chancellor Merkel who has probably been my closest international partner these eight years and will signal solidarity with our closest allies and express our support for a strong, integrated and united Europe.

AFP GETTY President Obama said Angela Merkel has been his “closest international partner”

“It’s essential to our national security and global stability.” Despite the US and Germany enjoying a close relationship under the Obama administration, Donald Trump’s election victory heralds a hard break in relations. In a provocative message after the US election Ms Merkel set conditions for cooperation with Mr Trump. She said: "Germany and America are connected by values of democracy, freedom and respect for the law and the dignity of man, independent of origin, skin colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or political views.

GETTY President Obama and the German Chancellor have enjoyed a cosy relationship

GETTY The election of Donald Trump heralds a new era for US-Germany relations

”I offer the next President of the United States close cooperation on the basis of these values." Ms Merkel urged Germans to stand up for an "open-minded" country, warning that the US election victory of Mr Trump could inflame Germany's refugee debate. The President-elect has denounced as "insane" the German Chancellor’s decision to allow more than a million migrants into Germany and claimed it had increased crime.

Donald Trump's awkward visit to the White House Thu, November 10, 2016 President Barack Obama and President-Elect Donald Trump met at the White House to discuss the handover of power. Play slideshow 1 of 12

Ms Merkel is widely expected to stand for a fourth term in an election next September and although her conservatives are roughly 10 points ahead of their nearest rivals, her open-door migrant policy has angered many voters. The right-wing Alternative for Germany, which has embraced tough anti-immigrant rhetoric, is drawing support away from the bigger traditional parties. President Obama was hailed as the heir to John F. Kennedy, who came to a divided Berlin in 1963, two years after construction of the Berlin Wall began, and reassured Germans with the word "Ich bin ein Berliner".