Germany's Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Friday warned Washington against hurting European cohesion, saying a strong EU is also in the interest of the US.

"Our American friends know well that your tone on Europe and NATO has a direct impact on the cohesion of our continent," the minister told the Munich Security Conference.

"A stable European Union is also in America's interest, as is a strong unified determined NATO," the minister said, in what appeared to be a rebuke of US President Donald Trump's praise for Britain's decision to quit the EU as well as his criticism of NATO.

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