The German foreign minister has said the UK's European Union partners should resist the temptation to be excessively tough on London as it negotiates its exit from the 28-nation bloc.

Sigmar Gabriel told the Munich Security Conference he regrets very much Britain's decision to leave, but "we must respect it".

He added: "We should resist the temptation to treat Britain overly harshly - not out of pity, but in our own interest.

"We need Britain, for example, as a partner in security policy, and I am also convinced that Britain needs us."

Mr Gabriel is also Germany's vice chancellor.

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