Merkel and the other leaders walked to the middle from the German side of the bridge.

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Government spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said Berlin regretted the decision, adding that it wanted GM to repay 1.5bn euros in bridge financing extended by German banks.

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Rumour, myth and innuendo have it that Hitler was so impressed by both the view down the Arno and the collection of art that it was the only bridge not blown up by German troops as they retreated during World War II.

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Also Friday, a German army officer was wounded in a mine explosion while his unit constructed a bridge near Sarajevo.

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