Free Democrat (FDP) leader Phillip Rösler has thrown his weight behind his under-fire party colleague, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.

In his opening speech at the FDP's autumn conference in Bergisch Gladbach, near Cologne, Rösler sought to quash further criticism of Westerwelle. He said the party leadership would keep its "current configuration" for the time being.

Westerwelle embarrassed the German government last week by suggesting that economic sanctions, rather than the NATO airstrikes or the rebel uprising, had played a decisive role in the collapse of the Moammar Gadhafi regime in Libya.

Critics have said this is one of many indicators that Westerwelle is no longer fit for the job of foreign minister. Cem Özdemir, joint leader of the Green party, called Westerwelle a "lame duck" and said keeping him in the job undermined Germany, while Andrea Nahles, general secretary of the Social Democrats (SDP), said he "has no authority left."

Rösler supports his predecessor

But despite newspaper reports of a quarrel between the two men, on Tuesday Rösler said as party chairman, he backed Westerwelle.

"There is absolutely no need for discussion," the vice chancellor said. "Public debate on this issue is over."

According to German newspaper Rheinische Post, Rösler had previously said the foreign minister was "on probation."

Westerwelle was forced to relinquish his position as FDP leader in April following devastating regional elections, but held onto his post as foreign minister. As junior partner in the ruling coalition of Chancellor Angela Merkel, the pro-business FDP is allowed to name five government ministers, including the foreign minister.

The FDP are hoping to improve their standing in regional elections in Berlin and the eastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania next month.

Author: Catherine Bolsover (dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Martin Kuebler