German court rules that armed soldiers can be deployed in the country... the  first time since the Second World War

• But only in 'exceptional cases to  prevent  threats to the state'

  By Alan Hall

PUBLISHED:14:30 GMT, 17  August 2012| UPDATED:14:31 GMT, 17 August 2012

Germany's highest court made a landmark  ruling today permitting armed soldiers to be deployed in the country for the  first time since the days of the Nazis.

The Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe said  armed soldiers could only be turned out in 'exceptional cases to prevent threats  to the state' and never against demonstrators.

It also said the particular threat would have  to be of 'catastrophic proportions' in order to get troops from their barracks  and on to the streets with their weapons primed.

FULL STORY: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2189839/German-court-rules-...