Germany's defence minister has said the US decision to withdraw 5,000 troops from his country was "foreseeable", as the Nato military alliance says it is seeking clarification from Washington, BBC reported. 

Speaking to the DPA news agency, Boris Pistorius also stressed "the presence of American soldiers in Europe, and particularly in Germany, is in our interest and in the interest of the US".

Meanwhile Nato spokeswoman Allison Hart said the alliance was "working with the US to understand the details of their decision".