Germany’s foreign minister delayed in Abu Dhabi after technical problem forces plane to turn back

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s foreign minister had to wait for hours in Abu Dhabi after a technical problem on her government plane forced it to return to the airport rather than continue to Australia. It was the latest in a succession of such incidents. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was due to arrive in Canberra on Monday night. But her ministry said her German air force Airbus A340 had to return to Abu Dhabi after a refueling stop because of “a mechanical problem with the landing flaps.” The aircraft took off again for Australia with Baerbock’s delegation on Monday night after a test flight was conducted without problems. But the air force said that the problem recurred and “we are landing in Abu Dhabi again now.”