Merkel told an EU-Africa summit at the weekend that the government of Zimbabwe leader Robert Mugabe was "damaging the image of Africa" by trampling on human rights.

In response, Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu sharply criticised Merkel in the Monday edition of Zimbabwe's state-owned newspaper The Herald, referring to her as a "fascist" and "Nazi remnant".

"Foreign Minister (Frank-Walter) Steinmeier summoned the Charge d'Affaires of Zimbabwe yesterday to the Foreign Ministry," ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger told a regular news conference.

"It was made very clear to him that the comments about the chancellor heard coming out of Zimbabwe were in no way acceptable," he said.

Merkel made her statement during a keynote speech on human rights at the Lisbon summit where Mugabe was present.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown boycotted the meeting because of the presence of Mugabe, who the West accuses of ruling like a dictator and wrecking his country's economy.

In The Herald article, Ndlovu sharply attacked Merkel for her criticism of Zimbabwe, calling Mugabe an "icon" of African nationalism.

"Zimbabwe is not a colony of Germany," the paper quoted him as saying. "This is racism of the first order by the German head of state."

Without providing direct quotes, the paper said Ndlovu had also referred to Merkel as a "fascist" and "Nazi remnant".