Merkel Accepts Invite to Visit United States

Not long after scandal about NSA surveillance of Europe

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has accepted an invitation to visit the United States, months after allegations that U.S. intelligence had tapped her phone strained relations between Berlin and Washington.

In a call Wednesday, President Barack Obama congratulated Merkel on forming a new government last month and wished her speedy recovery from a recent skiing accident.

Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said Obama also invited Merkel to Washington "in the coming months," which she accepted.