BBC: Germany is to suspend conscription in July 2011 and switch to a volunteer military service, defence minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg has said.
Conscription of German men will end but will remain in the country's constitution, Mr zu Guttenberg said.
The 250,000-strong German army, the Bundeswehr, is to be cut to around 185,000 soldiers, he added.
Currently all young German men are called to serve, but conscientious objectors can opt for social work.
Mr zu Guttenberg said the slimmed-down German army would focus on missions abroad. >>> | Monday, November 22, 2010
