Another setback for Angela Merkel's government as Hamburg's conservative mayor van Beust says he's quitting politics

A close ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel has resigned from his post as Hamburg's mayor. After more than 30 years in politics, Ole von Beust, says he does not want to stand for re-elction in 2012. The resignation is being seen as another setback for Merkel's conservative-led government. Von Beust is the sixth conservative State Premier to leave office in the last year.