DHAKA: Germany is to investigate allegations by US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden that the US government bugged Chancellor Angela Merkel’s phone.

Federal prosecutor Harald Range informed the German parliament’s legal affairs committee that an investigation would be held into persons unknown.

Merkel has publicly asked for an explanation for the alleged spying by the US National Security Agency (NSA).

The inquiry was announced as US president Barack Obama visited Europe.

At the same time, Range said he had decided opening an investigation into claims of wider NSA surveillance of German citizens, media reports, says the BBC.

Pressure for a wide-ranging investigation had been growing, correspondents say.

BDST: 1902 HRS, JUNE 04, 2014