Terrorism will never defeat us, Merkel says after Barcelona attack

"These murderous attacks have once again shown us the full contempt for mankind involved in Islamist terrorism," Merkel said.

"We're united in our resolve not to allow these murders ... stop us living our way of life," she said, adding that Barcelona in particular stood for tolerance, beauty and peaceful encounters between people of different cultures.

"Terrorism may inflict bitter and terribly sad hours upon us, as has happened in Spain, but it can never defeat us," she said.

Merkel said she had spoken to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy to extend Germany's condolences.

She also said she had spoken to representatives of the other parties in Germany and they had collectively decided to continue campaigning ahead of a Sept. 24 election but they would forego loud music and hold minutes of silence.

(Reporting by Michelle Martin and Michael Nienaber; Editing by Joseph Nasr)